-ability

Origin

-ability

a combination of -able and -ity, found on nouns corresponding to adjectives in -able: capability.

Origin:
Middle English -abiliteLatin -ābilitās
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-ability is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
Collins
World English Dictionary
-able
 
suffix forming adjectives
1.  capable of, suitable for, or deserving of (being acted upon as indicated): enjoyable; pitiable; readable; separable; washable
2.  inclined to; given to; able to; causing: comfortable; reasonable; variable
 
[via Old French from Latin -ābilis,-ībilis, forms of -bilis, adjectival suffix]
 
-ably
 
suffix forming adverbs
 
-ability
 
suffix forming nouns

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

-ability
suffix expressing ability, fitness, or capacity, from L. -abilitas, forming nouns from adjs. ending in -abilis (see -able). Not etymologically related to ability, though popularly connected with it.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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