a. [ comp. Abler superl. Ablest ] [ OF. habile, L. habilis that may be easily held or managed, apt, skillful, fr. habere to have, hold. Cf. Habile and see Habit. ] 1. Fit; adapted; suitable. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] A many man, to ben an abbot able. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Having sufficient power, strength, force, skill, means, or resources of any kind to accomplish the object; possessed of qualifications rendering competent for some end; competent; qualified; capable; as, an able workman, soldier, seaman, a man able to work; a mind able to reason; a person able to be generous; able to endure pain; able to play on a piano. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Specially: Having intellectual qualifications, or strong mental powers; showing ability or skill; talented; clever; powerful; as, the ablest man in the senate; an able speech. [ 1913 Webster ] No man wrote abler state papers. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. (Law) Legally qualified; possessed of legal competence; as, able to inherit or devise property. [ 1913 Webster ]
Able for, is Scotticism. “Hardly able for such a march.” Robertson. [ 1913 Webster ]
Syn. -- Competent; qualified; fitted; efficient; effective; capable; skillful; clever; vigorous; powerful. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
