enable English · revision 6137
16 Oct 2026, 04:59 by bogdan “en10k b0240: seal … slide; b11 queued earlier” current version
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+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1415}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA: /ɪˈneɪ.bəl/^(Roach et al. 2011)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is Middle English enablen, [[af|en|en-|able]], formerly also inable with [[in-]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ To make fit or qualified: 1415 in Barnhart,^(Barnhart 1988) the early 15th century in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) the OED's earliest use is intransitive, to gain strength or power, about 1420.^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ To make able to do something is from 1443 in Barnhart,^(Barnhart 1988) the mid-15th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and to impart power adequate for a task from about 1460.^(OED 1989) To invest with legal status (1491) and to give legal power or licence (1526) are legal senses;^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) an ''enabling act'' (1684) is so called because it empowers a body or person to take certain action.^(Etymonline) To supply someone with the means or opportunity is from 1531,^(OED 1989) and to make an action possible or easy from 1620.^(OED 1989) In computing, to make a device operational, to turn it on, is from 1962.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * 1415 – to make fit or qualified.^(Barnhart 1988)
+ * 1443 – to make able to.^(Barnhart 1988)
+ * 1491 – to give legal status.^(OED 1989)
+ * 1620 – to make possible.^(OED 1989)
+ * 1684 – enabling act.^(Etymonline)
+ * 1962 – to activate a device.^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Verb===
+ # To give someone the means, knowledge or opportunity to do something.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+ # To make possible.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+ # To give legal power or [[authority]] to.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+ # ''(computing)'' To make a device or function operational; to [[activate]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[enabler]]
+ * [[disenable]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[able]]
+ * [[ability]]
+ * [[disable]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}