ability
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also -ability
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English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- (obsolete) hability
Etymology[edit]
- First attested from before 1398.
- From Middle English abilite (“suitability, aptitude, ability”), from Middle French habilité, from Old French ablete, from Latin habilitās (“aptness, ability”), from habilis (“apt, fit, skillful, able”).
- See able.
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
ability (countable and uncountable; plural abilities)
- (obsolete) Suitableness. [Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the late 17th century.][1]
- (uncountable) The quality or state of being able; capacity to do; capacity of doing something; having the necessary power. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470).][1]
- This phone has the ability to have its software upgraded wirelessly.
- This wood has the ability to fight off insects, fungus, and mold for a considerable time.
- Having the legal wherewithal to act. [First attested in the mid 17 th century.][1]
- (now Scotland, dialectal) Physical power. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470).][1]
- (archaic) Financial ability. [First attested in the early 16 th century.][1]
- (uncountable) A unique power of the mind; a faculty. [First attested in the late 16 th century.][1]
- (Can we date this quote?) Francis Bacon
- Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study -
- (Can we date this quote?) Francis Bacon
- (countable) A skill or competence in doing; mental power; talent; aptitude. [First attested in the early 17 th century.][1]
- (Can we date this quote?) King James Bible, Acts 11:29
- Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren.
- (Can we date this quote?) Thomas Babington Macaulay
- The public men of England, with much of a peculiar kind of ability
- 2011 November 10, Jeremy Wilson, “England Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report”, Telegraph:
- The most persistent tormentor was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a hat-trick in last month’s corresponding fixture in Iceland. His ability to run at defences is instantly striking, but it is his clever use of possession that has persuaded some shrewd judges that he is an even better prospect than Theo Walcott.
- They are persons of ability, who will go far in life.
- She has an uncanny ability to defuse conflict.
- (Can we date this quote?) King James Bible, Acts 11:29
Usage notes[edit]
- (skill or competence): Usually used in the plural.
- Ability, capacity : these words come into comparison when applied to the higher intellectual powers.
- Ability has reference to the active exercise of our faculties. It implies not only native vigor of mind, but that ease and promptitude of execution which arise from mental training. Thus, we speak of the ability with which a book is written, an argument maintained, a negotiation carried on, etc. It always supposes something to be done,[usage 1] and the power of doing it.
- Capacity has reference to the receptive powers. In its higher exercises it supposes great quickness of apprehension and breadth of intellect, with an uncommon aptitude for acquiring and retaining knowledge. Hence it carries with it the idea of resources and undeveloped power. Thus we speak of the extraordinary capacity of such men as Lord Bacon, Blaise Pascal, and Edmund Burke. "Capacity," says H. Taylor, "is requisite to devise, and ability to execute, a great enterprise."
- The word abilities, in the plural, embraces both these qualities, and denotes high mental endowments.
- ^ George Crabb, 1826, English synonymes explained in alphabetical order, Collins & Hannay, p. 13
Synonyms[edit]
- (quality or state of being able): capacity, faculty, capability
- (a skill or competence): See Wikisaurus:skill
- (high level of skill or capability): talent, cleverness, dexterity, aptitude
- (suitability or receptiveness to be acted upon): capability, faculty, capacity, aptness, aptitude
Related terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
quality or state of being able
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a skill or competence
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a high level of capability or skill
suitability or receptiveness to be acted on
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
Translations to be checked
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Shorthand[edit]
- Gregg (Version: Centennial,Series 90,DJS,Simplified): a - b - disjoined l
- (Version: Anniversary,Pre-Anniversary): a - disjoined b
External links[edit]
- ability in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- ability in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
References[edit]
Categories:
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle French
- English terms derived from Old French
- English terms derived from Latin
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
- English uncountable nouns
- English terms with obsolete senses
- Scottish English
- English dialectal terms
- English archaic terms
