GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Able , a. [comp. Abler ; superl. Ablest .] [OF. habile, L. habilis that may be easily held or managed, apt, skillful, fr. habere to have, hold. Cf. Habile and see Habit.]
   Fit; adapted; suitable. [Obs.]
   1913 Webster
   A many man, to ben an abbot able.
   Chaucer.
   
   1913 Webster
   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.
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   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.
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   No man wrote abler state papers.
   Macaulay.
   
   1913 Webster
   (Law) Legally qualified; possessed of legal competence; as, able to inherit or devise property.
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   Able for, is Scotticism. 
   “Hardly able for such a march.”
    Robertson.
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   Syn. -- Competent; qualified; fitted; efficient; effective; capable; skillful; clever; vigorous; powerful.
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2.       
   Able, v. t. [See Able, a.] [Obs.]
   To make able; to enable; to strengthen.
   Chaucer.
   
   1913 Webster
   To vouch for. “I 'll able them.” 
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster