1561, from L.L.
capabilis "receptive," used by theologians, from L.
capax "able to hold much," adj. form of
capere "to take, grasp, lay hold, catch, undertake, be large enough for, comprehend," from PIE
*kap- "to grasp" (cf. Skt.
kapati "two handfuls," Gk.
kaptein "to swallow, gulp down," Lett.
kampiu "seize," O.Ir.
cacht "servant-girl," lit. "captive," Welsh
caeth "captive, slave," Goth.
haban "have, hold," O.E.
hæft "handle,"
habban "to have, hold;" see
have).
[key-puh-buh
l] 