资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Able \A"ble\, a. [Comp. {Abler}; superl. {Ablest}.] [OF. habile,
   L. habilis that may be easily held or managed, apt, skillful,
   fr. habere to have, hold. Cf. {Habile} and see {Habit}.]
   1. Fit; adapted; suitable. [Obs.]

            A many man, to ben an abbot able.     --Chaucer.

   2. Having sufficient power, strength, force, skill, means, or
      resources of any kind to accomplish the object; possessed
      of qualifications rendering competent for some end;
      competent; qualified; capable; as, an able workman,
      soldier, seaman, a man able to work; a mind able to
      reason; a person able to be generous; able to endure pain;
      able to play on a piano.

   3. Specially: Having intellectual qualifications, or strong
      mental powers; showing ability or skill; talented; clever;
      powerful; as, the ablest man in the senate; an able
      speech.

            No man wrote abler state papers.      --Macaulay.

   4. (Law) Legally qualified; possessed of legal competence;
      as, able to inherit or devise property.

   Note:

   {Able for}, is Scotticism. ``Hardly able for such a march.''
      --Robertson.

   Syn: Competent; qualified; fitted; efficient; effective;
        capable; skillful; clever; vigorous; powerful.