able

able · adjective¹

1. Proto-Indo-European*gʰeh₁bʰ-
2. Proto-Indo-European*gʰh₁bʰéh₁yeti
3. Proto-Italic*haβēō
4. Latinhabeō
5. Latinhabilis
6. Old Frenchable
7. Middle Englishable
8. English todayable

From Middle English able, from Old Northern French able, variant of Old French abile, habile, from Latin habilis (“easily managed, held, or handled; apt; skillful”). Doublet of habile.

able · verb²

1. Middle English · derived fromable
2. Middle English · inherited fromablen
3. English todayable

From Middle English ablen, from Middle English able (adjective).

able · noun³

From the first letter of the word. Suggested in the 1916 United States Army Signal Book to distinguish the letter when communicating via telephone, and later adopted in other radio and telephone signal standards.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• First attested from around (1350 to 1470). Having the necessary powers or the needed resources to accomplish a task.
• First attested from around (1350 to 1470). Free from constraints preventing completion of task; permitted to; not prevented from.
• First attested in the mid 16ᵗʰ century. Gifted with skill, intelligence, knowledge, or competence.
• First attested in the early 18ᵗʰ century. Legally qualified or competent.
• First attested in the late 18ᵗʰ century. Capable of performing all the requisite duties; as an able seaman.
• First attested from around (1350 to 1470). Having the physical strength; robust; healthy.
• Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the mid 18ᵗʰ century. Easy to use.
• Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the late 18ᵗʰ century. Suitable; competent.