ability etymology

Etymology:

• Old French: abilité
• Latin: habilitas ("aptness, skill, ability")
• Proto-Indo-European: *gʰebh- ("to take, receive")

Meaning:

The ability to do, perform, or achieve something successfully. It refers to a person's inherent capacity, skill, or power.

Origin:

The word "ability" comes from the Latin word "habilitas," which means "aptness, skill, or ability." This Latin word, in turn, is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *gʰebh-, meaning "to take or receive."

The idea behind this etymology is that a person's ability is something they acquire or develop through learning, experience, or natural aptitude. It is a quality that allows them to successfully handle and accomplish tasks or challenges.

Over time, the meaning of "ability" has expanded to include not only practical skills but also intellectual and emotional capacities. It now refers to a wide range of qualities that enable individuals to perform tasks, achieve goals, and lead fulfilling lives.

ability relate terms

• able

  Etymology of able The word able comes from the Old French word habile which in tur

• able

  Etymology of able The word able comes from the Old French word habile which in tur

• heir

  Etymology The word heir comes from the Old English word ierfe which originally meant

• hour

  Etymology The word hour comes from the Latin word hora which means hour time seas

• humble

  Etymology The word humble comes from the Latin word humilis which means low or on

• humor

  Etymology The word humor derives from the Latin word humor meaning liquid or mois

• herb

  Etymology The word herb originates from the Latin word herba which means green plan

• hostage

  Etymology Host Middle English from Old French hoste from Latin hospes guest host

• hermit

  Etymology The word hermit comes from the Late Latin word eremita which in turn is d

• power

  Etymology Old French pouer Latin potere to be able Proto Indo European root pot

• capacity

  Etymology Latin capacitas Late Latin capere to take to hold Meaning The a

• might

  Etymology The word might comes from the Old English word miht which means power or

• skill

  Etymology The word skill derives from the Old Norse word skil meaning discernment

• discretion

  Etymology The word discretion comes from the Middle English word discrecioun which

• faculty

  Etymology The word faculty is derived from the Latin word facultas which means abi

• engine

  Etymology Latin ingenium innate ability French engin device Meaning An engi

• incognito

  Etymology The word incognito originates from the Latin phrase in cognito which means

• cognition

  Etymology Cognition is derived from the Latin word cognoscere meaning to know or to