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2 definitions found

From: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

 -a·ble  An adjective suffix now usually in a passive sense; able to be; fit to be; expressing capacity or worthiness in a passive sense; as, movable, able to be moved; amendable, able to be amended; blamable, fit to be blamed; salable.
 Note: The form -ible is used in the same sense.
 Note: ☞ It is difficult to say when we are not to use -able instead of -ible. “Yet a rule may be laid down as to when we are to use it. To all verbs, then, from the Anglo-Saxon, to all based on the uncorrupted infinitival stems of Latin verbs of the first conjugation, and to all substantives, whencesoever sprung, we annex -able only.”
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From: WordNet (r) 2.0

 able
      adj 1: (usually followed by `to') having the necessary means or
             skill or know-how or authority to do something; "able
             to swim"; "she was able to program her computer"; "we
             were at last able to buy a car"; "able to get a grant
             for the project" [ant: unable]
      2: have the skills and qualifications to do things well; "able
         teachers"; "a capable administrator"; "children as young
         as 14 can be extremely capable and dependable" [syn: capable]
      3: having inherent physical or mental ability or capacity;
         "able to learn"; "human beings are able to walk on two
         feet"; "Superman is able to leap tall buildings"
      4: having a strong healthy body; "an able seaman"; "every
         able-bodied young man served in the army" [syn: able-bodied]