adj.
Pronunciation: ' ā -b ə l
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: abler \ -b( ə -)l ə r \ ; ablest \ -b( ə -)l ə st \
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin habilis apt, from hab ē re to have ― more at HABIT
Date: 14th century
1 a : having sufficient power, skill, or resources to accomplish an object b : susceptible to action or treatment
2 : marked by intelligence, knowledge, skill, or competence
– ably \ ' ā -b( ə -)l ē \ adverb