Middle English Dictionary Entry
abilitẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | abilitẹ̄ n. Also -tie, habilite, abilte, ablete. |
| Etymology | OF h)abilité, AF ableté. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A capacity for doing something, proficiency in an art or profession, ability, power.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)114a/b : Of sotilte of his substaunce & of ablete of meovinge [L mobilitate], he haþ most actualite.
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)introd.75a : Litel lowys, my sone, I perceyue wel by certeyn evidences thyn abilite to lerne sciences.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.997 : He hadde..Prudence, manhod, and habilite Bothe in armys and in cheualrie.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)63 : Al þing þat haþ an abilte to reule and gouerne oþere.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)547 : It is good therfore to us forto do in the same wise..according to oure abilte.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.1 : Nedes most I do my diligence In thyng þat passeth myn abilite.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)9/1 : Plese not þiself of abilite or of witte, lest þou displese god.
2.
Fitness for an office; suitableness for a purpose.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)282a/a : Dromedaries..beþ so swyfte..for ablete [L abilitates] of membres, ffor his legges beþ longe and smale and ful of senewes.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.5785 : He entre may þe religioun Of myȝti Bachus, for abilite.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.1252 : Catoun..Ther wittis peised and ther habilitees.
- c1425(a1400) Wycl.Conf.(Dub 245)331 : If his ablete shulde be proued in werk be-fore he were acceptid.
- c1475(1459) Pros.Yorkists in EHR 26 (Roy 17.D.15)514 : Syr, ye pretende an office to whome longeth gretter habilite than ye have shewyd.
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)2 : Abylite: Abilitas, conueniencia, congruitas.
3.
Excellence, worthiness; in god ~, in a good quality or condition, in a favorable sense.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)9b/b : Nounes adiectiue tokeneþ..effect; somme tokeneth it in good habilite [Tol: in good abilite, þerto habilite; L in habitu], as Iustus, mysericors, riȝtful, merciable.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)4.1182 : In which too scooles of gret habilite, Was non proffited halff so moch as he.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)4012 : Polexena..Þat errit not in anythyng of abilte þer.
- (1461) Grant Arms in Hrl.Soc.77 (Add 14295)192 : Manye persons, moved of noble Courage, purposinge to excercyse & use vertuous manners & condicions by the abillitye of which conditions & noble conversation with god's grace shall comm to the perfection of great honour..the woorshipfull dispotion of his person & habilitie in all gentilnes.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)52 : His philosophiers..Had scolers fele of grete habilitee, Studyng euer alwaye in vnitee.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)89b/b : Take hede to þe disposicion, abilte, age, and vertu, & complexioun of him þat is woundid.
Note: ?Modify gloss
Note: Lanfranc has abitude; L habitudinem
Note: The context demands something like 'constitution' - not currently under abilite