[el.i.gi.ble] adj [ME, fr. MF & LL; MF, fr. LL eligibilis, fr. L eligere to choose--more at elect] (15c) 1 a: qualified to be chosen: entitled "~ to retire" b: permitted under football rules to catch a forward pass "an ~ receiver"
2: worthy of being chosen: desirable "an ~ young bachelor" -- el.i.gi.bil.i.ty n -- eligible n -- el.i.gi.bly adv