capable - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Borrowed from Middle French capable, from Late Latin capābilis.

capable (comparative more capable, superlative most capable)

  1. Able and efficient; having the ability needed for a specific task; having the disposition to do something; permitting or being susceptible to something.
    She is capable and efficient.
    He does not need help; he is capable of eating on his own.
    As everyone knew, he was capable of violence when roused.
    That fact is not capable of proof.
    • 1732, John Conybeare, A Defence of Reveal'd Religion Against the Exceptions of a Late Writer, in His Book, Intituled, Christianity as Old as the Creation, &c, Simon & Schuster, page 18:
      They are neither capable of forming to themſelves a Rule, nor of diſcovering a Law-giver, nor of having the Rule enforc’d on them by the Proſpect of future Good or Ill.
  2. (obsolete) Of sufficient capacity or size for holding, containing, receiving or taking in; accessible to. Construed with of, for or an infinitive.
    • 1672, Lord Herbert, The Life and Reign of King Henry the Eighth, page 594:
      The place chosen was the cathedral church, capable of about 400 persons.
    • 1754, Thomas Chubb, A Collection of Tracts on Various Subjects, volume 2, page 43:
      Again, I farther obſerve, that as man is a compound being, ſo this renders him capable of ſeveral diſtinct kinds of pleaſure [...]

able and efficient

From Latin capabilis.

capable (plural capables)

  1. able, capable

From French capable (“capable”).

capable

  1. (Saint-Domingue) (auxiliary) can, to be able to
    Nous promené jouc nou pas té capable encore. ― We walked until we could not anymore.