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ability

Pronunciation: /əˈbɪl.ə.ti/

The English word “ability” has 7 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. Suitableness.
  2. The quality or state of being able; capacity to do or of doing something; having the necessary power.
  3. The legal wherewithal to act.
  4. Physical power.
  5. Financial ability.
  6. A unique power of the mind; a faculty.
  7. A skill or competence in doing; mental power; talent; aptitude.

Etymology

First attested in the 1300s. From Middle English abilite (“suitability, aptitude, ability”), from Old French ableté, from Latin habilitās (“aptness, ability”), from habilis (“apt, fit, skillful, able”); equivalent to able + -ity.

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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.