capability English · revision 10268

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1587|origins=en capable}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌkeɪ.pəˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/, /ˌkeɪ.pəˈbɪl.ə.ti/ ''(UK)''; /ˌkeɪ.pəˈbɪl.ə.ti/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[capable]] with the suffix [[-ity]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) on the model of Late Latin capābilis.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Power or ability in general, physical or mental: 1587, the 1580s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The quality of having room for something, ability to contain, is from 1616,^(OED 1989) and legal or moral qualification from 1684.^(OED 1989) Capabilities, in the plural, undeveloped faculties or properties, is attested from 1778.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Being open to a particular treatment, as ''the capability of a metal to be fused'', is from 1794.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1587 – ability.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1616 – capacity to contain.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1684 – legal qualification.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1778 – capabilities, potential.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1794 – susceptibility to treatment.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The quality of being capable; [[ability]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A talent or ability that can be developed; potential.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The capacity to be used or treated in a particular way.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[capable]]

+ * [[capacity]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}