Definition of Abilety
A*bil"i*ty (&?;), n.; pl.
Abilities(&?;). [F. habileté, earlier
spelling habilité (with silent h), L. habilitas
aptitude, ability, fr. habilis apt. See Able.] 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.
Syn. -- Capacity; talent; cleverness; faculty; capability;
efficiency; aptitude; aptness; address; dexterity; skill. Ability,
Capacity. These words 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. Thus we speak of the extraordinary capacity of such men as
Lord Bacon, Blaise Pascal, and Edmund Burke. "Capacity," says H.
Taylor, "is requisite to devise, and ability to execute, a great
enterprise." The word abilities, in the plural, embraces both these
qualities, and denotes high mental endowments.
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
ABILITY, n. The natural equipment to accomplish some small part of
the meaner ambitions distinguishing able men from dead ones. In the
last analysis ability is commonly found to consist mainly in a high
degree of solemnity. Perhaps, however, this impressive quality is
rightly appraised; it is no easy task to be solemn.
- 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue
- 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.
Quotations
*Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren - Acts 11:29
*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
- The Nuttall Encyclopedia
You arrived at this page by searching for Abilety
The correct Spelling of this word is: Ability
Thank you for visiting FreeFactFinder. On our home page you will find extensive articles covering
a wide range of topics.
|
