English

Adjective

disallowable ‎(comparative more disallowable, superlative most disallowable)

1. Able to be disallowed.
   • 1858, George Bush, Notes, critical and practical, on the book of Numbers, page 125:

     But in the subsequent ages a Levite was not disallowable by years, neither by blemishes, but by voice; when his voice failed by reason of extreme old age, he was disabled from serving in the sanctuary.

   • 1994, Judith Brett, James A. Gillespie, Murray Goot, Developments in Australian politics, page 126:

     Much of this legislation is not disallowable and thus falls outside parliamentary scrutiny (Argument 1992: 13).

   • 2002, Taxation: Policy and Practice, page 13:

     Subscriptions and donations to political parties are usually disallowable but in the case of Morgan v Tate and Lyle Ltd (1954) a political donation to the Conservative Party was allowed because it was made in order to resist the nationalisation of the sugar industry proposed by the Labour Party […]

   • 2005, Peter Sutherland, Social security and family assistance law, page 354:

     The Declaration is not disallowable and therefore was not gazetted.

2. Not allowable; not to be suffered or permitted; which should not be allowed.
   • a 1618, Walter Raleigh, The Cabinet-Council, The works of Sir Walter Ralegh edition, published 1829, page 95:

     Neutrality is always a thing dangerous and disallowable, because it offendeth all parties : he that is strong looketh to be assisted in his greatness, and he that is weak not being defended holdeth himself offended

   • 1710, Joseph Bingham, Origines ecclesiasticæ: or, The antiquities of the Christian ..., volume 2, page 343:

     Now in all these Cases the Reading of Heathen Authors for such unworthy Ends, was very disallowable, because it was always done with a manifest Neglect and Contempt of the Holy Scriptures, and therefore upon such Grounds deservedly forbidden by the Canons of the Church.

   • a 1718, William Penn, “A Treatise of Oaths”, in The Select Works of William Penn, volume 2, 3rd edition, published 1782:

     Memorable Testimonies against Swearing; / Collected out of the Writings of Gentiles, Jews, and Christians: Some of which were delivered to the World several Ages before Swear not at all was written by Matthew, or spoken by Christ.. Which makes Swearing, among Christians, so much the more disallowable.

Derived terms

• disallowability

References

• disallowable in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• disallowable at OneLook Dictionary Search