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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