Middle English Dictionary Entry
enāblen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | enāblen v. Also in-, enhablen. |
| Etymology | From āble . |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. ablen.
1.
(a) To make (someone) fit, competent, or qualified (for a given purpose); to grow fit; (b) to enable (a person to do something); (c) to strengthen (a person); to support or encourage.
Associated quotations
a
- (1415) Hoccl.Oldcastle (Hnt HM 111)272 : Benigne lord, enable him to mercy!
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)4.854 : And thai [the mares] wol soone enable in that jointe.
- a1500 Lydg.SPuer(1) (Jes-C 56)156 : My dere childe, first thiself enable With all thin herte to vertuous disciplyne.
b
- (1443) Reg.Spofford in Cant.Yk.S.23254 : To enable hem the more diligently to continue theyr devocion.
c
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.6016 : To perseuere and ben of herte stable, By fortune hem silfe to enable.
- c1475(?a1440) Burgh Cato(1) (Rwl C.48)307/152 : Whan thou seest a-nothir mannys desert..Such a wiht with thi good woord enable.
2.
Law To confer a legal right or competence upon (a person).
Associated quotations
- (1472-3) RParl.6.31a : That your said Suppliaunt and his heires be inabled to inherite all maner of possessions.
- (1474) Let.Bk.Lond.L (Gldh LetBk L)119 : Except that thei be Fremen of the said Citee and therunto enhabled and approved connyng men in the same Craft or mystere by the Wardeins.