able

English

/ˈeɪ.bl̩/

adj
Definitions
  • (obsolete) Easy to use.
  • (obsolete) Suitable; competent.
  • (obsolete) Liable to.
  • Having the necessary powers or the needed resources to accomplish a task.
  • Free from constraints preventing completion of task; permitted to; not prevented from.
  • (obsolete) Having the physical strength; robust; healthy.
  • (obsolete) Rich; well-to-do.
  • Gifted with skill, intelligence, knowledge, or competence.
  • (law) Legally qualified or competent.
  • (nautical) Capable of performing all the requisite duties; as an able seaman.

Etymology

Derived from able derived from Old French abile derived from Latin habilis (suitable, skillful, apt, held, easily managed, or handled) root from Proto-Indo-European *gʰeh₁bʰ- (take, grab, hold).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*gʰeh₁bʰ-

Gloss

take, grab, hold

Concept
Semantic Field

Possession

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms