habilitas

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [haˈbɪ.lɪ.taːs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [aˈbiː.li.tas]^[1]

Forms

habilitās f (genitive habilitātis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from habilis “handy, apt” with the suffix -tās, from habeō “to have, hold”.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC, and Cicero speaks of habilitātēs reliquī corporis “the aptitudes of the rest of the body”.^[4][5]

Semantic evolution

It meant aptitude, ability.^[2][5]

British Medieval Latin used it for physical fitness or suitability.^[6] It survives in Italian abilità and Spanish habilidad, and through Old French ableté it gave English ability in the late 14th century, “capacity to do or act”.^[1][3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.^[4][5]
• late 14th century – English ability is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. Aptitude, ability.^[2]
2. (Medieval Latin) Fitness.^[6]

Related words

• habilis
• habeō
• English ability
• English able

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press