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ability

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also:-ability

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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First attested in the 1300s. FromMiddle Englishabilite(“suitability, aptitude, ability”), fromOld Frenchableté, fromLatinhabilitās(“aptness, ability”), fromhabilis(“apt, fit, skillful, able”); equivalent toable +‎-ity.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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ability (countable anduncountable,pluralabilities)

  1. (obsolete) Suitableness.[Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the late 17th century.][1]
  2. (uncountable) The quality or state of being able; capacity to do or of doing something; having the necessary power.[First attested from around (1350 to 1470).][1]
    This phone has theability to have its software upgraded wirelessly.
    This wood has theability to fight off insects, fungus, and mold for a considerable time.
    • 2013 July 19,Peter Wilby, “Finland spreads word on schools”, inThe Guardian Weekly, volume189, number 6, page30:
      Imagine a country where children do nothing but play until they start compulsory schooling at age seven. Then, without exception, they attend comprehensives until the age of 16. Charging school fees is illegal, and so is sorting pupils intoability groups by streaming or setting.
  3. The legalwherewithal to act.[First attested in the mid 17th century.][1]
    • 2013 June 22, “T time”, inThe Economist, volume407, number8841, page68:
      Theability to shift profits to low-tax countries by locating intellectual property in them, which is then licensed to related businesses in high-tax countries, is often assumed to be the preserve of high-tech companies.
  4. (now limited to Scotland dialects) Physical power.[First attested from around (1350 to 1470).][1]
  5. (archaic) Financial ability.[First attested in the early 16th century.][1]
  6. (uncountable) A unique power of the mind; a faculty.[First attested in the late 16th century.][1]
  7. (countable) Askill orcompetence in doing; mental power; talent;aptitude.[First attested in the early 17th century.][1]
    a mixed-ability class
    They are persons ofability, who will go far in life.
    She has an uncannyability to defuse conflict.

Synonyms

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Antonyms

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Derived terms

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Related terms

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Translations

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quality or state of being able
a skill or competence
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. See instructions atWiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked

Further reading

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References

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  1. ↑1.01.11.21.31.41.51.6Lesley Brown, editor-in-chief, William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, editors (2002), “ability”, inThe Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, 5th edition, Oxford; New York, N.Y.:Oxford University Press,→ISBN, page 4.
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