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able

Flag: gbEnglishOxford Dictionary of English
able /ˈeɪbl /
▸ adjective
( abler, ablest)
1 [with infinitive] having the power, skill, means, or opportunity to do something:
he was able to read Greek at the age of eight
they would never be able to afford such a big house.
2 having considerable skill, proficiency, or intelligence:
the dancers were technically very able.
– ORIGIN late Middle English (also in the sense ‘easy to use, suitable’): from Old French hable, from Latin habilis ‘handy’, from habere ‘to hold’.