a. [ F., from vie life, L. vita. See Vital. ] (Law) Capable of living; born alive and with such form and development of organs as to be capable of living; -- said of a newborn, or a prematurely born, infant. [ 1913 Webster ]
VIABLE, Vitae habilis, capable of living. This is said of a child who is born alive in such an advanced state of formation as to be capable of living. Unless be is born viable he acquires no rights and cannot transmit them to his heirs, and is considered as if he had never been born. Bouvier (Law Dictionary, 1856). [ 1913 Webster ]