able

英['e?b(?)l] 美['ebl]

比較級:?abler;最高級:?ablest;

able 有能力的

詞源同habit，習慣，來自詞根hab,居住，擁有，能力。與后綴-able詞義幾乎完全重合。

able: able: [14] Able and ability both come ultimately from the Latin verb habēre ‘have’ or ‘hold’. From this the Latin adjective habilis developed, meaning literally ‘convenient or suitable for holding on to’, and hence in more general terms ‘suitable’ or ‘apt’, and later, more positively, ‘competent’ or ‘expert’. It came into English via Old French, bringing with it the noun ablete ‘ability’. This was later reformed in English, on the model of its Latin source habilitās, to ability.
=> habit
able (adj.): early 14c., from Old French (h)able (14c.), from Latin habilem, habilis "easily handled, apt," verbal adjective from habere "to hold" (see habit). "Easy to be held," hence "fit for a purpose." The silent h- was dropped in English and resisted academic attempts to restore it 16c.-17c. (see H), but some derivatives (such as habiliment, habilitate) acquired it via French.
Able-whackets - A popular sea-game with cards, in which the loser is beaten over the palms of the hands with a handkerchief tightly twisted like a rope. Very popular with horny-fisted sailors. [Smyth, "Sailor's Word-Book," 1867]

2. The RAF recognized him as an out-standingly able engineer.: 英國皇家空軍表彰他是一名非常能干的機械師。

3. Anton was able to transfer from Lavine's to an American company.: 安東成功地從拉文調到了一家美國公司.

4. He conjectured that some individuals may be able to detect major calamities.: 他猜測說有些人也許能夠察覺重大災難。

5. The government have not been able to turn today'sdemonstration to their advantage.: 政府未能把今天的游行示威轉為己用。