Middle English Dictionary Entry
āble adj.
Entry Info
Forms | āble adj. Also hable, abel, -il, -ul. |
Etymology | OF able & h)abile; L habil-is. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of persons: capable of doing something, expert in an art or science, qualified to practice a trade or profession, skilful, competent; ~ maister, ~ werkman; of a woman: old enough to marry; (b) with inf.: having the power (to do or become sth.), capable, competent, qualified; (c) with for (to, into) phrase: having a capacity (for doing sth.), suited (to an action or occupation), able to attain (virtue), capable (of profiting).
Associated quotations
a
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1241 : Thow..art a knyght, a worthy and an able.
- (1389) Lond.Gild Ret.in Bk.Lond.E.(PRO C 47/var.)54/32 : Þey schul..enquere..wher he be worthi, of good name & able, or non.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.785 : If he take the benefice, and if he be worthy and able, ther nys noon [Symonye].
- (1409) Mem.Bk.York in Sur.Soc.125178 : He be dewly..approved for ane able werkman be the serchours of the sayd crafte.
- (1421) RParl.4.158a : That they that ben able and approved, after trewe and streyte examinacion, be receyved to theyr degree.
- (1423) Let.Bk.in Bk.Lond.E.(Gldh LetBk I & K)111 : Þat no persone withinne þe saide liberte of London presume to wyrke in þe Crafte of Cirurgie, olesse þan he be examined and found able þer-to be þe seide Rectour in Medicyns.
- a1425(a1396) Maidstone PPs. (Wht)142 : Thanne wil I pray, as thei ben able, That thei wille mouthe my compleynt.
- ?c1430 Wycl.CTemp.(Corp-C 296)216 : For parische chirchis..schulden frely be ȝoven to clerkis able of kunnynge and lif.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)167 : Thanne have the xij men..to chesyn to hem oon that be good and abele [OF covenable] in his stede that is ded.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2635 : He will be Alexander ayre..Abillere þan euer was sir Ector of Troye.
- a1475(1450) Scrope DSP (Bod 943)46/26 : It was more lefulle to shewe þe saide science to straungiers able than to his owne kyn vnable.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)273 : Argus þat after was abill of his crafte..made vp a mekyll ship.
- (c1450) Capgr.St.Aug.(Add 36704)17/19 : He suffered þe hert of Augustin to be sette on swech a mayde, and of so ȝong age, that he must nede abyde tyl sche were able.
- (1471) Mem.Bk.York in Sur.Soc.125140 : That noo man of the saidez craftes shall set up and occupie as a maister within this cite, afore that he be examyned and approved able and sufficiently lerned and enfourmed in that behalf to occupye as a maister.
- (1472-3) Mem.Bk.York in Sur.Soc.125195 : It shall be leefull to all the maisters of the same occupacion..to chuse and eslyt othir thre able maisters of the same occupacion to be..serchiours.
- c1600(c1350) Alex.Maced.(Grv 60)461 : In art of astronomie able hee was holde.
b
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.584 : Ther were a dozeyne in that hous..able for to helpen al a shire In any caas that myghte falle.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Ph.(Manly-Rickert)C.134 : Hym thoughte he was nat able for to speede.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.267 : Thou miht noght of thiself ben able To winne love.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Mch.(Manly-Rickert)E.1912 : He is as wys..As any man..And for to be a thrifty man right able.
- c1400 *Trev.Higd.(Tbr D.7)7.28.278a : Ad hyt were to make hable to vyȝte in batayl, þat tyme torniamentes..were ymad & y vsed.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.500 : Swiche werkemen..as werne able for to serue with lym or stoon for to reise a wal.
- (1421) RParl.4.158a : Lest that thay the whiche ben able to practyse in Fisyk ben excluded fro practysing.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)1 Kings 22.17 : Men able to be sent out [L emissariis] that stoden aboute hym.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.FCLife (Corp-C 296)190 : Þes prestis..ben not able to preie for mercy.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)63 : Euery persoone þat haþ magiste and þerbi is abil to reule oþere.
- a1475(1450) Scrope DSP (Bod 943)170/19 : Hit is nedefulle to a man..to be habile of himsilf to knowe trouthe.
- (1461) Paston3.308 : Ye had be abill to save hym harmeles.
- (1472) Doc.in Sur.Soc.8526 : Derreke his lepere, & his not abyll to felychep emange the pepell.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)126/18 : Into tyme þou be able to be a scoler in þe book clepid 'þe represser.'
- (a1483) Tailors' Gild Exeter317 : Ye schall take no howse..unto þe tyme ye be amyttyd..gode and abell to okewpy shapyn.
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.3258 : The povere child is bore als able To vertu as the kinges Sone.
- ?a1425 Const.Masonry(1) (Roy 17.A.1)262 : He may not ben able To lordys profyt.
- (1426) Doc.in HMC Var.Col.4199 : To sende as many persones defensables and habiles for the werre.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)90 : Thouȝ he be able into othere deedis profitabili to be doon.
- a1450(a1425) Mirk IPP (Cld A.2:Peacock)1119 : He was more abeler þen þow To alle manere gode and prow.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)245 : He was ful abill To Armes & to travaill.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)51/15 : He wolde be þerbi þe abiler into doyng of sum notable grettir goostli goode.
2.
(a) Of things: suitable for a use or purpose, appropriate, fitting; sufficient for a purpose, adequate; (b) with inf.: fit (to be used for sth.) capable (of being treated in a certain manner), suitable; ~ to ben beleved, believable; ~ to speken, utterable; (c) with inf.: capable (of doing sth.); bering ~, able to bear crops; (d) with to (for) phrase: suitable (for an activity), conducive (to an activity), suited (to a purpose).
Associated quotations
a
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)221/11 : It was moost able vndir þe chyn..& þere I made a wounde.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)73b/a : If the quittre passe noght doun in an able place, it were to be purged.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)105 : That it [fyssh] be not kept out of his tyme due and abele [OF covenable].
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.2070 : Ageyn Pompeie his poweer was nat hable.
- c1475 Babies' Bk.(Hrl 5086)111 : But be Ay Redy..At hable tyme to done your lorde service.
b
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fri.(Manly-Rickert)D.1472 : For we..wol vs swiche formes make As moost able is oure preyes for to take.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)240b/b : Plane and withy beþ neisshe of kynde and able [L apte] to graue and wryte Inne.
- c1400 Wycl.CGosp.Matthew (Yk-M 14.D.2:Hudson)56/27 : Hou myche more is þis ablere to be bileued of Crist þat he was not seyn whanne he .. was takun of þe deuele.
- (a1402) Trev.Dial.MC (Hrl 1900)32/15 : Holy chirche biggeþ a felde þat is able to be y-telied.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.981 : Þe riche eban..most is able..With stoon to Ioyne by craft of carpentrie.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Ex.16.35 : Thei camen into a loond able to dwel yn [L habitabilem].
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Ps.92.5 : Thi witnessingis ben maad able to be bileued [L credibilia] greetli.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.6.170 : This ilke ordre constreyneth..the dedes of men by a bond of causes nat able to ben unbownde.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)64a/a : Þer folweþ emorogie vnneþe able to be wiþholden.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)69/7 : Þay myghte fynde any swete watir able for to drynke.
- c1440 Thrn.Med.Bk.(Thrn)49/23 : For onkome on arme..& þu trow it be able to bryste.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)12.18 : An aker faat is able [vr. hable] Six stryk to sowe.
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)2,353 : Abylle to speke: vbi Spekeable..Spekabylle: effabilis.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)210/26 : Þay prayde her of an abule place forto bury hym.
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.2561 : This Mineral..Transformeth al the ferste kynde And makth hem able..to receive Bothe in substance and in figure Of gold and selver the nature.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)21/9 : Þe maris of womman haþ an able [L aptam] complexcioun to conseiuen.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)1863 : The whiche takell is full able To make these ladies merciable.
d
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)3.467 : Mannys soule..is able [L aptatur] to dyvers manere of doynge.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)51a/a : Þe riȝthond is liȝtere & abilere [L habilior] to wirke þan þe lift hond.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)217b/b : Þis tree..is able to buldynge of toures.
- c1400 Wycl.CGosp.John (Bod 243:Hudson)37/24 : 'Iesu wente into an hil'..: Bi þis Iesu techiþ vs forto reste fro noisis and trobling in þe world, for soleynte is able to filosofie or loue of wisdom.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)2316 : A Cite full sure and set for the werre, With Armure and all things abill to fight.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)227/30 : The hors, the whiche was stronge, fryk, lusty and abyl to armys.
- a1525(?1421) Cov.Leet Bk.29 : That he sell no maner of suche fische ne no vitales till..that hit be ouersen by the maiour, þat hit be abull for mannys meite.
3.
(a) Of persons: worthy, deserving, honorable, excellent; (b) with inf.: worthy (to be or to have sth.), worthy (to be called, chosen, etc.); (c) with to (of) phrase: deserving of (sth.), fit to become (an apprentice), worthy to enter (the kingdom of God), worthy to receive (divine grace), etc.; (d) with noun: deserving (a bishopric).
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))2 Cor.3.6 : God..made vs able [L idoneos] mynistris of the newe testament.
- a1425(?c1375) NHom.(3) Leg.(Hrl 4196)11/37 : Sere bisschopes come vnto stede, þore forto chese þam an abyll man.
- (1445) Will York in Sur.Soc.30155 : That thei..fynd iij able prestis..to do their divine service.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)941 : With a riall ost of many able princes.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)497 : Seyn Peter..had off God pleyn power To lete in ffolk wych he knew hable.
b
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)599 : He þat stod þe long day stable..Þenne þe lasse in werke to take more able.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.4498 : Forgers of lesyngis..Tabide with lordis..be nat able.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)5.2837 : Such oon is able to be cleped a kyng.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)14945 : He was ablest, next pope to be After hym þat held þo þe se.
- c1450 Ponthus (Dgb 185)103/21 : In hym be so mych worschipp that he is able to haue the kynges doghtre of Fraunce.
- c1460 Ipom.(3) (Lngl 257)323/28 : Hire thoght, noo king in the world were able to ben hire husbond.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)176/225 : We had ben vnhende and nevyr non of us Able for to be a knyght.
- a1500(?c1378) Wycl.OPastor.(Ryl Eng 86)450 : What maner man is able bi god to be chosun to curatis offiss.
c
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Luke 9.62 : No man sendynge his hond to the plouȝ, and biholdinge aȝen, is able [L aptus] to the rewme of God.
- a1400 Alle-mighty god in trinitie (Roy 17.B.17)43/586 : Þou shalt þenk..what grace may do þe here..if þou to grace wilt make þe abul.
- a1425 Rolle FLiving (Arun 507)419 : Þa þat are solitari are mast abul til þe schewynge of þe hali gast.
- c1430(c1395) Chaucer LGW Prol.(2) (Benson-Robinson)246 : It were better worthi, trewely, A worm to comen in my syght than thow..For thow..art therto nothyng able.
- c1450(c1370) Chaucer ABC (Benson-Robinson)184 : Bring us to that palais that is bilt To penitentes that ben to merci able.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)3237 : I shall tech hym..to gadir houndis doung Tyll it be abill of prentyse to crafft of tanry.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)105 : No man leying hand to þe plowe and loking aȝen is able to þe kyndam of God.
d
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.183 : He was not able [L idoneum] a bisshopriche þat couthe nouȝt mysuse þe pompis of þe world.
4.
(a) Of things: good, excellent, strong, useful; of an excuse: acceptable, valid; of movement: agile, vigorous; (b) with inf.: worthy (to be sacrificed); (c) with to (for) phrase: worthy (of sb.), excellent enough; ~ for a king, fit for a king; (d) with to (til, for) phrase: appropriate (to the human body, one's complexion, etc.), suitable (for birds, fruit, etc.); also, bad enough (for sth.); ~ ayein, commensurate with, appropriate to.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)52a/b : In þe riȝt side is moost able [L habilior] meouynge, and þe lift side is most strengere.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)213b/a : Þe kynde þer of haþ non erþely humour and it is able [L habilem] and light tymbir.
- ?a1425 Const.Masonry(1) (Roy 17.A.1)p.262 : Or ellus sekenes hath hym so stronge That he may not come hem amonge: That ys a skwsacyon good and abulle.
- (1432) RParl.4.406a : Yat no Vessell of wyn pas fro the place of thair makyng..on lesse yat it be assaied and marked as able and well made.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)4233 : Bot herre lymmus shokone euermore..And nere neuer so able as þey werone byfore.
- a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sln 1986)28 : With venegur gode and sesounabulle..and peper abulle.
- c1450(a1400) Chev.Assigne (Clg A.2)288 : Hit is called an hors..a good and an abull.
- a1525(?1474) Cov.Leet Bk.399 : That he sett no wyne to sale till he haue sende after the Officers of the town to tast it and to se that hett be good and able wyn.
b
- ?a1450(1422) Lydg.SD (McC 182)61/2 : Þei dempte hym [a bull] able to be slayne for sacrifice.
c
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)205a/a : Saphirus is a precious stoon..and most apte and able to fyngres of kynges.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)264b/b : A lomb of a ȝeer olde was able and acordynge to þe auteres of goddes.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)30.382 : Fowle Raunges..that to so Ryal A thing ne weren not able, his wif Ordeynede forto do.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)19/26 : To make hym a pales abull for a kyng.
d
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)331/21 : Þou schalt vse þingis þat ben able for a mannes complexioun.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)986 : To hem [the arrows] was wel sittyng and able The foule croked bowe.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)105 : That no regratour in the forseid fisshmarket not selle..ony maner of fyssh..that be corrupt and not abele [OF descovenable] for mannys body.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.2629 : Guerdoun most hable ageyn ther gret falsnesse.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.459 : Thy wyn seler..Ek se that hit be able As for thi fruit.
- a1450(?1348) Rolle FLiving (Cmb Dd.5.64)90/24 : Solitude es maste abyll of all othyr til revelacion of þe Haly Gaste.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)14 : Whech hill, he seith, is ful able to birdis.
- a1475 Rev.St.Bridget (Gar 145)18/3 : The lynnen that is able to the naked body betokenes peese and acorde.
5.
(a) Of persons: gracious, pleasant; ~ of person; obedient, yielding; (b) with inf.: willing (to do sth.); (c) with inf.: capable (of undergoing sth.); apt or likely (to be treated in a certain way, to suffer a certain fate), liable; (d) with to phrase: liable or subject (to sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Nah.3.4 : The fornycaciouns of the hoore fair and able [WB(2): plesaunt; L gratae].
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)13b : Cernus: bee able or buxom.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)3982 : Andromaca, auenonde, abill of person, Worthy Ector wyfe, was a we faire.
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)60/313 : Noe, to me thou arte full able, and thy sacrifice acceptable.
b
- c1400(?c1384) Wycl.50 HFriars (Bod 647)371 : Bot loke what meynez is hable to here þe gospel.
- c1450(c1385) Chaucer Mars (Benson-Robinson)282 : Ye oghten to be able To have pite of folk.
c
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)280/14 : Þerfore þei ben moost able to be kutt of þe stoon.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)6901 : They wolde bynde on folk alwey, That ben to be begiled able, Burdons that ben importable.
- a1425(?a1400) PCounsel.(Hrl 674)156/3 : Þou were not ȝit abil sodenly to be liftid up to þe goostly felyng of þe being of God.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.2894 : Thei wer able, as be likliheed, For ther outrages forto fall in pouerte.
d
- c1500(?a1437) ?Jas.I KQ (SeldArch B.24)st.14 : The bird that fed is on the nest..of wit wayke and unstable, To fortune both and to infortune hable.
6.
(a) Of an action: agreeable, seemly; of a planetary aspect: favorable; (b) with inf.: apt or likely (to suffer or undergo sth.); (c) with to (of) phrase: in the proper state (to undergo a process).
Associated quotations
a
- a1500 Little Child.Bk.(1) (Adv 19.3.1)42 : Nor spytt þou not over þe tabull Ne þer onne, hit is not abull.
- c1500(?a1437) ?Jas.I KQ (SeldArch B.24)st.99 : By vertew pure of your aspectis hable, Unto youre grace lat now ben acceptable My pure request.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)212a/b : If þe humour is smal and þynne and able [L habilis] to be wasted and fordruyd, þanne þe bowes fordryeþ.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)13/19 : We drede nouȝt in him þe feuere, for his complexioun is nouȝt able [L apta] to resceyue þe feuere.
c
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)45b/b : Þe mouþ first fongiþ mete..& makeþ it abel [L aptum] to digestioun.
- ?a1500 Henslow Recipes (Henslow)8/2 : Take hynde and grynde hit smal and tempere hit vp wiþ ȝelew water, so þat hit be þynne and able of delyuerance.