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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Able \A"ble\, v. t. [See {Able}, a.] [Obs.]
1. To make able; to enable; to strengthen. --Chaucer.
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2. To vouch for. "I 'll able them." --Shak.
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-able \-a*ble\ (-[.a]*b'l). [F. -able, L. -abilis.]
An adjective suffix now usually in a passive sense; able to
be; fit to be; expressing capacity or worthiness in a passive
sense; as, movable, able to be moved; amendable, able to be
amended; blamable, fit to be blamed; salable.
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Note: The form {-ible} is used in the same sense.
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Note: It is difficult to say when we are not to use -able
instead of -ible. "Yet a rule may be laid down as to
when we are to use it. To all verbs, then, from the
Anglo-Saxon, to all based on the uncorrupted
infinitival stems of Latin verbs of the first
conjugation, and to all substantives, whencesoever
sprung, we annex -able only." --Fitzed. Hall.
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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.]
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A many man, to ben an abbot able. --Chaucer.
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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.
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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.
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No man wrote abler state papers. --Macaulay.
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4. (Law) Legally qualified; possessed of legal competence;
as, able to inherit or devise property.
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Note:

{Able for}, is Scotticism.

"Hardly able for such a march." --Robertson.
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Syn: Competent; qualified; fitted; efficient; effective;
capable; skillful; clever; vigorous; powerful.
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