ˈkāpəbəl, rapid -pb- adjective
( sometimes -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French capable, from Late Latin capabilis, irregular from Latin capere to take, contain — more at heave
1. archaic
a. : able to take in, contain, receive, or accommodate
a room capable of 20 people
a harbor capable of the largest ships
b. : able to perceive or comprehend
an ear capable of faint sounds
when he became capable of ordinary occurrences she detailed all — James Stephens
2. : constituted, situated, or characterized as susceptible or open to being affected — used postpositively with following of
such as we, not capable of death or pain — John Milton
an order capable of execution
a passage capable of misinterpretation
a formal doctrine capable of being expressed in a few catchwords — Lewis Mumford
3. obsolete : inclusive , comprehensive
a capable and wide revenge — Shakespeare
4. : having sufficient power, prowess, intelligence, resources, strength, or other needed attributes to perform or accomplish — usually used postpositively with of followed by a gerund or actional noun
a highly intelligent man, capable of close application of mind — Charles Dickens
children are not capable of looking after their own interests — Bertrand Russell
ships capable of facing the heavy seas — J.A.Froude
5. : marked by or possessed of a predisposition to : having characteristics or personality traits conducive to or admitting of — used postpositively with of
all who are capable of absorption in an inward passion — Bertrand Russell
this woman is capable of murder by violence — Robert Graves
a grace and dexterity of which no common maid is capable — Lafcadio Hearn
6. : possessed of or marked by general efficiency and ability and by adequate resourcefulness, skill, and reliability
capable pilots
the capable direction of the play
the capable fashioning fingers of the artist — W.S.Maugham
still composed, still capable , still mistress of herself and any emergency — Ellen Glasgow
7. obsolete : having legal qualification or right to own, enjoy, or perform
of my land … to make thee capable — Shakespeare
Synonyms: see able