![[P]](http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/premium_mh.gif){kind=small}
a·bil·i·ty 
Audio Help [uh-bil-i-tee] Pronunciation Key
Audio Help [uh-bil-i-tee] Pronunciation Key –noun, plural -ties.
| 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. |
[Origin: 1350–1400; ME (h)abilite < MF < L habilitās aptitude, equiv. to habili(s) handy (see able) + -tās -ty2; r. ME ablete < OF < L, as above]
] —Synonyms 1. capability; proficiency, expertness, dexterity. 2. Ability, faculty, talent denote qualifications or powers. Ability is a general word for power, native or acquired, enabling one to do things well: a person of great ability; ability in mathematics. Faculty denotes a natural ability for a particular kind of action: a faculty of saying what he means. Talent is often used to mean a native ability or aptitude in a special field: a talent for music or art.
| Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006. |
ability
To learn more about ability visit Britannica.com
| © 2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. |
| a·bil·i·ty
Audio Help (ə-bĭl'ĭ-tē) Pronunciation Key
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). |
| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
ability
c.1380, from O.Fr. ableté "expert at handling (something)," from L. habilitatem (nom. habilitas) "aptitude," from habilis "easy to manage, handy" (see able). One case where a silent L. -h- failed to make a return in Eng. (despite efforts of 16c.-17c. scholars); see H.
| Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper |
| ability | |
noun | |
| 1. | the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment [ant: inability] |
| 2. | possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done; "danger heightened his powers of discrimination" [ant: inability] |
| WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University. |
ability1 [əˈbiləti] noun — plural aˈbilities
the power, knowledge etc to do something
Example: I shall do the job to the best of my ability.
ability2 [əˈbiləti] nounExample: I shall do the job to the best of my ability.
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
a skill
Example: a man of many abilities
Example: a man of many abilities
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary, © 2000-2006 K Dictionaries Ltd. |
Ability
A*bil"i*ty\, n.; pl. Abilities. [F. habilet['e], earlier spelling habilit['e] (with silent h), L. habilitas aptitude, ability, fr. habilis apt. See Able.] The quality or state of being able; power to perform, whether physical, moral, intellectual, conventional, or legal; capacity; skill or competence in doing; sufficiency of strength, skill, resources, etc.; -- in the plural, faculty, talent. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren. --Acts xi. 29. Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study. --Bacon. The public men of England, with much of a peculiar kind of ability. --Macaulay. Syn: Capacity; talent; cleverness; faculty; capability; efficiency; aptitude; aptness; address; dexterity; skill. Usage: Ability, Capacity. These words come into comparison when applied to the higher intellectual powers. Ability has reference to the active exercise of our faculties. It implies not only native vigor of mind, but that ease and promptitude of execution which arise from mental training. Thus, we speak of the ability with which a book is written, an argument maintained, a negotiation carried on, etc. It always something to be done, and the power of doing it. Capacity has reference to the receptive powers. In its higher exercises it supposes great quickness of apprehension and breadth of intellect, with an uncommon aptitude for acquiring and retaining knowledge. Hence it carries with it the idea of resources and undeveloped power. Thus we speak of the extraordinary capacity of such men as Lord Bacon, Blaise Pascal, and Edmund Burke. "Capacity," says H. Taylor, "is requisite to devise, and ability to execute, a great enterprise." The word abilities, in the plural, embraces both these qualities, and denotes high mental endowments.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
View results from: Dictionary | Thesaurus | Encyclopedia | All Reference | the Web
Share This: 
Perform a new search, or try your search for "ability" at:
- Amazon.com - Shop for books, music and more
- Reference.com - Encyclopedia Search
- Reference.com - Web Search powered by Google
- Thesaurus.com - Search for synonyms and antonyms
