Ability
ability (?), n.; pl.Abilities(?). (F. habilete, earlier
spelling habilite (with silent h), L. habilitas
aptitude, ability, fr. habilis apt. See Able.) The
quality or state of being able; power to perform, whether physical, moral,
intellectual, conventional, or legal; capacity; skill or competence in
doing; sufficiency of strength, skill, resources, etc.; -- in the
plural, faculty, talent.
Then the disciples, every man according to his
ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren.
Acts xi. 29.
Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need
pruning by study.
Bacon.
The public men of England, with much of a peculiar kind of
ability.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- Capacity; talent; cleverness; faculty; capability;
efficiency; aptitude; aptness; address; dexterity; skill. Ability,
Capacity. These words come into comparison when applied to the
higher intellectual powers. Ability has reference to the
active exercise of our faculties. It implies not only native vigor
of mind, but that ease and promptitude of execution which arise from mental
training. Thus, we speak of the ability with which a book is
written, an argument maintained, a negotiation carried on, etc. It always
something to be done, and the power of doing it.
Capacity has reference to the receptive powers. In its higher
exercises it supposes great quickness of apprehension and breadth of
intellect, with an uncommon aptitude for acquiring and retaining knowledge.
Hence it carries with it the idea of resources and undeveloped
power. Thus we speak of the extraordinary capacity of such men as
Lord Bacon, Blaise Pascal, and Edmund Burke. Capacity, says H.
Taylor, is requisite to devise, and ability to execute, a great
enterprise. The word abilities, in the plural, embraces both these
qualities, and denotes high mental endowments.
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