Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Inability

Inˊa-bil′i-ty

,
Noun.
[Pref.
in-
not +
ability
: cf. F.
inhabileté
. See
Able
, and cf.
Unable
.]
The quality or state of being unable; lack of ability; lack of sufficient power, strength, resources, or capacity.
Syn. – Impotence; incapacity; incompetence; weakness; powerlessness; incapability. See
Disability
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Inability

INABIL'ITY

,
Noun.
[L. inhabilis; in and habilis.]
1.
Want of sufficient physical power or strength; as the inability of a man to raise an arm or a leg.
2.
Want of adequate means; as an inability to purchase a farm, or to fit out a ship.
3.
Want of moral power. Moral inability is considered to be want of inclination, disposition or will, or a deep-rooted aversion to act,and therefore improperly so called.
Moral inability aggravates our guilt.
4.
Want of intellectual strength or force; as an inability to comprehend a mathematical demonstration.
5.
Want of knowledge or skill; as an inability to read or write.

Definition 2024


inability

inability

English

Noun

inability (plural inabilities)

  1. lack of the ability to do something; incapability
    • 2013, Daniel Taylor, Jack Wilshere scores twice to ease Arsenal to victory over Marseille (in The Guardian, 26 November 2013)
      The Premier League leaders did what many people thought was beyond them in their last European excursion, at the home of Borussia Dortmund, and they made light work of overcoming Marseille on a night when the one-sidedness was not reflected by their inability to add to Jack Wilshere's two goals.

Synonyms

Translations