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/ˈeɪbəl/ Listen

adjective

Able adj. (compar. abler; superl. ablest)

Fit; adapted; suitable. (Obs.) "A many man, to ben an abbot able."

Having sufficient power, strength, force, skill, means, or resources of any kind to accomplish the object; possessed of qualifications rendering competent for some end; competent; qualified; capable; as, an able workman, soldier, seaman, a man able to work; a mind able to reason; a person able to be generous; able to endure pain; able to play on a piano.

Specially: Having intellectual qualifications, or strong mental powers; showing ability or skill; talented; clever; powerful; as, the ablest man in the senate; an able speech. "No man wrote abler state papers."

(Law) Legally qualified; possessed of legal competence; as, able to inherit or devise property. Note: Able for, is Scotticism. ""Hardly able for such a march.""

Synonyms: Competent; qualified; fitted; efficient; effective; capable; skillful; clever; vigorous; powerful.

verb

Able v. t. (Obs.)

To make able; to enable; to strengthen.

To vouch for. "I 'll able them."

suffix

-able suff. An adjective suffix now usually in a passive sense; able to be; fit to be; expressing capacity or worthiness in a passive sense; as, movable, able to be moved; amendable, able to be amended; blamable, fit to be blamed; salable. Note: The form -ible is used in the same sense. Note: It is difficult to say when we are not to use -able instead of -ible. "Yet a rule may be laid down as to when we are to use it. To all verbs, then, from the Anglo-Saxon, to all based on the uncorrupted infinitival stems of Latin verbs of the first conjugation, and to all substantives, whencesoever sprung, we annex -able only."

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Etymology of 'Able'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Able" Quotes from Famous Books

... knowledge, perseverance, diligence, and success in the ministry, as of a vessel filled with grace, and ordained to honour. Still, when he spoke of himself as man, he used the strongest terms of self-abasement. He had no doubt he should be able to foil Dr. Beaumont in argument, and convince him that the Anglican church was really anti-christian. His benevolence and liberality urged him to undertake this office at this time, in hopes that, since the Doctor's subsistence depended upon his acquiescence, expediency would facilitate conviction. ...

— The Loyalists, Vol. 1-3 - An Historical Novel • Jane West

... trembling Captain. 'For the sake of Wal'r drownded in the briny deep, turn to, and histe up something or another, if able!' ...

— Dombey and Son • Charles Dickens

... sleep that night without much expectation of being able to obtain sleep. Her nerves were overstrung, and at times thought in her mind came to a standstill; it was as though a sudden hush came on all within her, so that neither did heart beat nor breath come. But ...

— The Broom-Squire • S. (Sabine) Baring-Gould

... and I see how hard it is for you to manage with Mrs. Bowen's dislike for me. But you mustn't think of if. I dare say it will be different; I've no doubt we can get her to look at me in some brighter light. I—" He did not know what he should urge next; but he goaded his invention, and was able to declare that if they loved each other they needed not regard any one else. This flight, when accomplished, did not strike him as very original effect, and it was with a dull surprise that he saw ...

— Indian Summer • William D. Howells

... concert, no matter how it disarranged Captain Godfrey's plans. But he was entirely willing. It was these men, on their way to the trenches, or on the way out of them, bound for rest billets, whom, of course, I was most anxious to reach, since I felt that they were the ones I was most likely to be able ...

— A Minstrel In France • Harry Lauder

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