D defs.my
Entry 6 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Able

/āb'-əl/ · A·ble · IPA /ˈeɪ.bl̩/
01 a. Fit; adapted; suitable.
  1. 1.
    Fit; adapted; suitable.[Obs.]
    “A many man, to ben an abbot able.” Chaucer.
  2. 2.
    Having sufficient power, strength, force, skill, means, or resources of any kind to accomplish the object; possessed of qualifications rendering competent for some end; competent; qualified; capable; as, an able workman, soldier, seaman, a man able to work; a mind able to reason; a person able to be generous; able to endure pain; able to play on a piano.
  3. 3.
    Specially: Having intellectual qualifications, or strong mental powers; showing ability or skill; talented; clever; powerful; as, the ablest man in the senate; an able speech.
    “No man wrote abler state papers.” Macaulay.
  4. 4.
    Legally qualified; possessed of legal competence; as, able to inherit or devise property.(Law)
02 v. t. To make able; to enable; to strengthen.
  1. 1.
    To make able; to enable; to strengthen.[Obs.]
  2. 2.
    To vouch for.