Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Ability
A-bil′i-ty
(ȧ-bĭl′ĭ-ty̆)
, Noun.
pl.
Abilities
(ȧ-bĭl′ĭ-tĭz)
. [F.
habileté
, earlier spelling habilité
(with silent h), L. habilitas
aptitude, ability, fr. habilis
apt. See Able
.] The quality or state of being able; power to perform, whether physical, moral, intellectual, conventional, or legal; capacity; skill or competence in doing; sufficiency of strength, skill, resources, etc.; – in the plural, faculty, talent.
Then the disciples, every man according to his
ability
, determined to send relief unto the brethren. Acts xi. 29.
Natural
abilities
are like natural plants, that need pruning by study. Bacon.
The public men of England, with much of a peculiar kind of
ability
. Macaulay.
Syn. – Capacity; talent; cleverness; faculty; capability; efficiency; aptitude; aptness; address; dexterity; skill.
Ability
, Capacity
. These words come into comparison when applied to the higher intellectual powers. Ability has reference to the active exercise of our faculties. It implies not only native vigor of mind, but that ease and promptitude of execution which arise from mental training. Thus, we speak of the ability with which a book is written, an argument maintained, a negotiation carried on, etc. It always something to be done, and the power of doing it. Capacity has reference to the receptive powers. In its higher exercises it supposes great quickness of apprehension and breadth of intellect, with an uncommon aptitude for acquiring and retaining knowledge. Hence it carries with it the idea of resources and undeveloped power. Thus we speak of the extraordinary capacity of such men as Lord Bacon, Blaise Pascal, and Edmund Burke. “Capacity,” says H. Taylor, “is requisite to devise, and ability to execute, a great enterprise.” The word abilities, in the plural, embraces both these qualities, and denotes high mental endowments. Webster 1828 Edition
Ability
ABIL'ITY
,Noun.
1.
Physical power, whether bodily or mental; natural or acquired; force of understanding; skill in arts or science. Ability is active power, or power to perform; as opposed to capacity, or power to receive. In the plural, abilities is much used in a like sense; and also for faculties of the mind, and acquired qualifications.2.
Riches, wealth, substance, which are the means, or which furnish the power, of doing certain acts.They gave after their ability to the work. Ez. 2.
3.
Moral power, depending on the will - a metaphysical and theological sense.4.
Civil or legal power, the power or right to do certain things, as an ability to transfer property or dispose of effects - ability to inherit. It is opposed to disability.