facility

The story

1. Latin · derived fromfacilitās
2. Middle French · derived fromfacilité
3. Middle English · inherited fromfacilite
4. English todayfacility

From Middle English facilite, from Middle French facilité, and its source, Latin facilitās. By surface analysis, facile + -ity. Doublet of faculty.

First known use, by meaning

• from 19th c. The physical means or contrivances to make something (especially a public service) possible; the required equipment, infrastructure, location etc.
• from 16th c. The fact of being easy, or easily done; absence of difficulty; simplicity.
• from 16th c. Dexterity of speech or action; skill, talent.
• from 20th c. A toilet.