2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Abler  \A"bler\,  a., 
  comp.  of  {Able}.  --  {A"blest},  a.,  superl.  of  {Able}. 

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