• Ability

    Pronunciation

    • US IPA: /əˈbɪl.É™.ti/, /əˈ.bɪl.ɪ.ti/

    Alternative forms

    Origin

    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.

    Full definition of ability

    Noun

    ability

    (countable and uncountable; plural abilitys)
    1. (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).
      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.
      • 2013-07-19, Peter Wilby, Finland spreads word on schools, 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 into ability groups by streaming or setting.
    2. The legal wherewithal to act. First attested in the mid 17th century.
      • 2013-06-22, T time, The ability 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.
    3. (now limited to Scottish dialects) Physical power. First attested from around (1350 to 1470).
    4. (archaic) Financial ability. First attested in the early 16th century.
    5. (uncountable) A unique power of the mind; a faculty. First attested in the late 16 th century.
      • unknown date Francis Bacon (1561-1626)Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study -
    6. (countable) A skill or competence in doing; mental power; talent; aptitude. First attested in the early 17 th century.
      They are persons of ability, who will go far in life.
      She has an uncanny ability to defuse conflict.
      • unknown date King James Bible, Acts 11:29Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren.
      • unknown date Thomas Macaulay (1800-1859)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, 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.

    Usage notes

    (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,

    George Crabb, 1826, English synonymes explained in alphabetical order, Collins & Hannay, page 13 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 Francis Bacon, , and . "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.

    Synonyms

    Related terms

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