ability

Etymology

First attested in the 1300s. From Middle English abilite (“suitability, aptitude, ability”), from Old French ableté, from Latin habilitās (“aptness, ability”), from habilis (“apt, fit, skillful, able”); equivalent to able + -ity.

noun

1. (obsolete) Suitableness.
2. (uncountable) The quality or state of being able; capacity to do or of doing something; having the necessary power.
   This phone has the ability to have its software upgraded wirelessly.
   This wood has the ability to fight off insects, fungus, and mold for a considerable time.
   Imagine a country where children do nothing but play until they start compulsory schooling at age seven. Then, without exception, they attend comprehensives until the age of 16. Charging school fees is illegal, and so is sorting pupils into ability groups by streaming or setting. 2013-07-19, Peter Wilby, “Finland spreads word on schools”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 6, page 30
3. The legal wherewithal to act.
   The ability to shift profits to low-tax countries by locating intellectual property in them, which is then licensed to related businesses in high-tax countries, is often assumed to be the preserve of high-tech companies. 2013-06-22, “T time”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8841, page 68
4. (now limited to Scotland dialects) Physical power.
5. (archaic) Financial ability.
6. (uncountable) A unique power of the mind; a faculty.
7. (countable) A skill or competence in doing; mental power; talent; aptitude.
   They are persons of ability, who will go far in life.
   She has an uncanny ability to defuse conflict.
   a mixed-ability class
   The public men of England, with much of a peculiar kind of ability 1848, Thomas Macaulay, The History of England from the Accession of James II
   Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study - 1884, Francis Bacon, Of Studies
   The most persistent tormentor was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a hat-trick in last month’s corresponding fixture in Iceland. His ability to run at defences is instantly striking, but it is his clever use of possession that has persuaded some shrewd judges that he is an even better prospect than Theo Walcott. November 10, 2011, Jeremy Wilson, “England Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report”, in Telegraph