able
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
See also -able
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Old French habile, from Latin habilis, from habeō (“‘have, hold’”).
[edit] Pronunciation
- IPA: /eɪbl̩/, /eɪbəl/, SAMPA: /eIbl=/, /eIb@l/
- Audio (US)help, file
- Rhymes: -eɪbəl
- Hyphenation: a‧ble
- Homophones: Abel
[edit] Adjective
able (comparative abler, superlative ablest)
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Positive |
- (dated) Healthy.
- After the past week of forced marches, only half the men are fully able.
- Permitted to; not prevented from; having the power or capacity to.
- With that obstacle removed, I am now able to proceed with my plan.
- I’m only able to visit you when I have other work here.
- I’ll see you as soon as I’m able.
- Skillful.
- The chairman was also an able sailor.
- (law) Legally qualified or competent.
- In most states, such a person is not able to inherit property.
[edit] Derived terms
terms derived from able (adjective)
[edit] Translations
healthy
permitted to
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skillful
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legally qualified
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- 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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[edit] Verb
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Infinitive |
Third person singular |
Simple past |
Past participle |
Present participle |
to able (third-person singular simple present ables, present participle abling, simple past and past participle abled)
- (transitive, obsolete) To make capable; to enable; to strengthen.
- (transitive, obsolete) To vouch for.
- 1605, William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King Lear, Act IV vi
- I’ll able ’em.
- 1605, William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King Lear, Act IV vi
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Translations
make capable
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[edit] Shorthand
- Gregg (Version: Centennial,Series 90,DJS,Simplified,Anniversary,Pre-Anniversary): a - b - l
[edit] Anagrams
[edit] French
[edit] Noun
able m. (plural ables)
- A vernacular name of the common bleak (usually called ablette).
- A vernacular name of the moderlieschen, also called able de Heckel.
- (rare) A vernacular name of some other related fishes in the genus Alburnus (Cyprinidae).