| 1. | power or capacity to do or act physically, mentally, legally, morally, financially, etc. |
| 2. | competence in an activity or occupation because of one's skill, training, or other qualification: the ability to sing well. |
| 3. | abilities, talents; special skills or aptitudes: Composing music is beyond his abilities. |

a·bil·i·ty (ə-bĭl'ĭ-tē) n. pl. a·bil·i·ties
[Middle English abilite, from Old French habilite, from Latin habilitās, from habilis, handy; see able.] Synonyms: These nouns denote qualities that enable a person to achieve or accomplish something. Ability is the mental or physical power to do something: "To make a fortune some assistance from fate is essential. Ability alone is insufficient" (Ihara Saikaku). |