enable

English

/ɪˈneɪbəl/

verb
Definitions
  • To make somebody able (to do, or to be, something); to give sufficient ability or power to do or to be; to give strength or ability to.
  • To affirm; to make firm and strong.
  • To qualify or approve for some role or position; to render sanction or authorization to; to confirm suitability for.
  • To yield the opportunity or provide the possibility for something; to provide with means, opportunities, and the like.
  • To imply or tacitly confer excuse for an action or a behavior.
  • (electronics) To put a circuit element into action by supplying a suitable input pulse.
  • (chiefly) To activate, to make operational (especially of a function of an electronic or mechanical device).

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English enablen.

Origin

Middle English

enablen

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms