-a*ble (-&adot;*b'l).
[F. -able, L. -abilis.]
An adjective suffix now usually in a
passive sense; able to be; fit to be;
expressing capacity or worthiness in a passive sense; as, movable, able to be moved; amendable, able to be
amended; blamable, fit to be blamed; salable.
The form -ible is used in the same sense.
&fist; It is difficult to say when we are not to use -able instead of -ible. "Yet a
rule may be
laid down as to when we are to use it. To all verbs, then, from the Anglo-Saxon, to all based
on the uncorrupted infinitival stems of Latin verbs of the first conjugation, and to all substantives, whencesoever sprung, we annex -able only." Fitzed. Hall.
A"ble , v. t. [See Able, a.]
[Obs.] 1. To make able; to
enable; to strengthen. Chaucer.
2. To vouch for. "I 'll able them." Shak.
A"ble (&?;), a.
[Comp. Abler (&?;);
superl. Ablest (&?;).]
[OF.
habile, L. habilis
that may be
easily held or managed, apt, skillful, fr. habere to
have, hold. Cf. Habile and see Habit.]
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 property.
Able for, is Scotticism. "Hardly able for such a
march."
Robertson.
Syn. -- Competent; qualified; fitted; efficient; effective; capable; skillful; clever; vigorous; powerful.
Hear it pronounced