Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Able
A′ble
,Adj.
[
c
omp.
Abler
; sup
erl.
Ablest
.] 1.
Fit; adapted; suitable.
[Obs.]
A many man, to ben an abbot
able
. Chaucer.
2.
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.3.
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.No man wrote
abler
state papers. Macaulay.
4.
(Law)
Legally qualified; possessed of legal competence;
as,
. able
to inherit or devise propertyAble for
, is Scotticism. “Hardly
able for
such a march.” Robertson.
Syn. – Competent; qualified; fitted; efficient; effective; capable; skillful; clever; vigorous; powerful.
1.
To make able; to enable; to strengthen.
Chaucer.
2.
To vouch for.
“I ’ll able them.” Shak.
Webster 1828 Edition
Able
ABLE
,Adj.
1.
Having physical power sufficient; having competent power or strength, bodily or mental; as a man able to perform military service - a child is not able to reason on abstract subjects.2.
Having strong or unusual powers of mind, or intellectual qualifications; as an able minister.Provide out of all Israel able men. Ex. 18.
3.
Having large or competent property; or simply have property, or means.Every man shall give as he is able. Deut. 16.
4.
Having competent strength or fortitude.He is not able to sustain such pain or affliction.
5.
Having sufficient knowledge or skill.He is able to speak French.
She is not able to play on the piano.
6.
Having competent moral power or qualifications.An illegitimate son is not able to take by inheritance.