Definition and Etymology of Able

1. Definition

What is, Concept or Meaning

Adj. Able is an adjective that is used to indicate that a person or thing has the capacity, ability, or power to do something. It is often used in conjunction with the word “to” and an infinitive verb, as in “I am able to come,” or “I will be able to finish the project.” It can also be used to describe someone who is talented, clever, or skilled in a particular area. The comparative form of the adjective is “abler” and the superlative form is “ablest”.

In addition to its literal meaning of having the power or ability to do something, the word “able” can also be used to indicate a willingness or readiness to do something, as in “he is able to help” or “she is willing to help” .

2. Etymology of able

The word Able comes from the Old English word “able” which is formed from the stem of the word “habilis” which is a Latin word meaning “fit, suitable” or “capable”. It is based on the concept of the word having skill, ability and suitability to do something. This etymology reflects in the word’s definition, as something or someone that is able to do something has the skill, ability and suitability to do it. The adverb form of Able is “ably”

3. Examples of use

– I am able to speak French fluently.
– The company is now able to compete with its rivals.
– He is the ablest musician in the orchestra.

4. Uses and Applications

The word “able” is commonly used in both spoken and written language to indicate the ability, capability or power of someone or something to do something. It is also used to indicate willingness and readiness in certain situations. It is a useful word in many fields such as education, management and human resources, as it allows to evaluate people’s ability, potential and suitability for certain tasks. It can also be used in a more metaphorical sense to indicate that someone has a certain level of skill or ability in a particular area, such as being “able in mathematics” or “able at sports”.

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