Ability Definition

ə-bĭlĭ-tē
abilities
noun
abilities
The quality of being able to do something, especially the physical, mental, financial, or legal power to accomplish something.
American Heritage
A being able; power to do (something physical or mental)
Webster's New World
A skill, talent, or capacity.
A student of many abilities.
American Heritage
Skill, expertness, or talent.
Webster's New World
The quality of being suitable for or receptive to a specified treatment.
The ability of a computer to be configured for use as a file server.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
suffix
Ability, inclination, or suitability for a specified action or condition.
Teachability.
American Heritage

Forms a noun from a verb; ability, inclination or suitability for a specified function or condition.

Wiktionary
affix
A (specified) ability, capacity, or tendency.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Ability

Noun

Singular:
ability
Plural:
abilities

Origin of Ability

  • From Middle English -ablete, -iblete, -abilite, -ibilite, from Middle French -ableté, -ibleté, -abilité, -ibilité, from Latin -abilitas, -ibilitas, from -abilis (“able") or -ibilis (“able") + -tas or -ty

    From Wiktionary

  • First attested in the 1300s. 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 also able.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English abilite from Old French habilite from Latin habilitās from habilis handy able

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English -abilitie from Old French -abilite from Latin -ābilitās from -ābilis -able

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • L -abilitas: see -able & -ity

    From Webster's New World College Dictionary, 5th Edition

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