Lexic.us

Definition of Ability

1. Noun. The quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment.

2. Noun. Possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done. "Danger heightened his powers of discrimination"

Definition of Ability

1. n. The quality or state of being able; power to perform, whether physical, moral, intellectual, conventional, or legal; capacity; skill or competence in doing; sufficiency of strength, skill, resources, etc.; -- in the plural, faculty, talent.

Definition of Ability

1. Noun. The quality or state of being able. ¹

2. Noun. A skill or competence in doing. ¹

3. Noun. (uncountable countable) A high level of skill or competence. ¹

4. Noun. Physical, mental or legal power to perform. ¹

5. Noun. Aptitude. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Ability

1. the quality of being able to do something [n -TIES]

Medical Definition of Ability

1. The quality or state of being able; power to perform, whether physical, moral, intellectual, conventional, or legal; capacity; skill or competence in doing; sufficiency of strength, skill, resources, etc.; in the plural, faculty, talent. "Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren." (Acts xi. 29) "Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study." (Bacon) "The public men of England, with much of a peculiar kind of ability." (Macaulay) Ability and capacity come into comparison when applied to the higher intellectual powers. Ability has reference to the active exercise of our faculties. It implies not only native vigor of mind, but that ease and promptitude of execution which arise from mental training. Thus, we speak of the ability with which a book is written, an argument maintained, a negotiation carried on, etc. It always something to be done, and the power of doing it. Capacity has reference to the receptive powers. In its higher exercises it supposes great quickness of apprehension and breadth of intellect, with an uncommon aptitude for acquiring and retaining knowledge. Hence it carries with it the idea of resources and undeveloped power. The word abilities, in the plural, embraces both these qualities, and denotes high mental endowments. See: able. Synonym: Capacity, talent, cleverness, faculty, capability, efficiency, aptitude, aptness, address, dexterity, skill. Origin: F. Habilete, earlier spelling habilite (with silent h), L. Habilitas aptitude, ability, fr. Habilis apt. (11 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Ability

abietinic abietins abietite abietol abigail abigails abigailship abigailships abigeat abilao

abilaos abiliment abiliments abilities abilitude ability (current term) ability-to-pay abilla abillas abilo

abilos abime abimes abio- abiocen abiocens abiocoen abiogeneses abiogenesis abiogenetic

Literary usage of Ability

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Principles of Justice in Taxation by Stephen Francis Weston (1903)
"ability AS AN ETHICAL BASIS OF TAXATION Whatever the accepted basis of taxation, it is always, directly or indirectly, implied that the ultimate end sought ..."

2. The Scientific Monthly by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1917)
"It should be encouraged to keep up its present rate of increase, because it contributes a good average of ability to the population. ..."

3. The Journal of Educational Research by Educational Research Association (U.S. (1921)
"Both sections were given to the same teacher without any hint as to difference in ability. In less than a week the teacher had noticed it and had reported ..."

4. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London by Royal Society (Great Britain) (1902)
"There is a non-significant correlation between dolichocephaly and ability ; there are very small correlations between length and breadth of head and ability ..."

5. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1896)
"Besides the statistical information regarding age, sex, parentage, etc., the teachers were also requested to group the children as to their mental ability ..."

6. Journal of Educational Psychology by American Psychological Association (1915)
"An Experimental Study in the Analysis and Prediction of ability in High ... To say that ability in mathematics and ability in science are correlated to such ..."

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