inability English · revision 15099

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=15th century}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˌɪn.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/, US /ˌɪn.əˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|inhabilite]], [[bor|frm|inhabilité]], from [[m|frm|in-]] and [[m|frm|habilité|t=ability]],^(MWU 2024) or formed from [[in-]] and [[ability]].^(Etymonline) Earlier English had unability, incapability (late 14th century).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Disqualification for office: the mid-15th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) The OED also has the condition of being unable from the 15th century.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The general sense, the state of being unable, is recorded by about 1500.^(Etymonline) Bodily infirmity was an inability from 1640, a sense now obsolete,^(OED 1989) and the construction with a following ''to'', inability to do something, is from 1644.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * late 14th century – unability.^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-15th century – disqualification for office.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1500 – the state of being unable.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1644 – inability to do something.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Lack of ability or means; [[incapacity]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ability]]

+ * [[able]]

+ * [[unable]]

+ * [[disability]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}