ability
/əˈbɪlɪti/
noun
Origin
Latin
habilitas — aptitude, ability
Overview
Meaning Now
- The possession of the means or skill to do something.
- A level of skill or intelligence in a particular area or activity.
Literal older meaning
the state or quality of being able (to do something)
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
abilite
Earliest period
late 14th century
Journey
The word entered English via French as 'abilite' or 'habilite'. The 'h' was lost in Middle English through French phonetic attrition, but was sporadically restored in the 16th century by scholars attempting to align English spelling more closely with the original Latin 'habilitas'.
Evolution
- Latin
habilis
“easily handled, apt”
- Vulgar Latin
habilitas
“aptitude, faculty”
- Old French
abilité
“capacity, power”
- Middle English
abilite
“power to do”
Spelling influenced by the later re-introduction of Latin 'h'
Connections
Word parts
abil-
stem
able
-ity
suffix
state or quality
Related across languages
French
habileté
skill, adroitness
Spanish
habilidad
ability, skill
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.