able

adj

1. Having the necessary powers or the needed resources to accomplish a task.

   “She is able to lift the box without assistance.”

2. Free from constraints preventing completion of task; permitted to; not prevented from.

   “In a democratic world you'd be able to say what you thought wherever you were.”

   “I'll see you as soon as I'm able.”

   “With that obstacle removed, I am now able to proceed with my plan.”

3. Gifted with skill, intelligence, knowledge, or competence.

   “The chairman was also an able sailor.”

   “Natures that haue much Heat, and great and violent deſires and Perturbations, are not ripe for Action, till they haue paſſed the Meridian of their yeares: As it was with Iulius Cæſar, and Septimius Seuerus. […] And yet he [Septimus Severus] was the Ableſt Emperour, almoſt, of all the Liſt.”

   “Urania speaks with darken’d brow: ⁠‘Thou pratest here where thou art least; ⁠This faith has many a purer priest, And many an abler voice than thou: […]’”

4. Legally qualified or competent.

   “He is able to practice law in six states.”

5. Capable of performing all the requisite duties; as an able seaman.
6. (dialectal, obsolete)Having the physical strength; robust; healthy.

   “After the past week of forced marches, only half the men are fully able.”

7. (obsolete)Easy to use.

   “As the hands are the most habil parts of the body...”

8. (obsolete)Suitable; competent.

   “[…] and for every able man servant that he or she shall carry or send armed and provided as aforesaid, ninety acres of land of like measure.”

9. (dialectal, obsolete)Liable to.
10. (obsolete)Rich; well-to-do.

    “He was born to an able family.”

verb

1. (obsolete, transitive)To make ready.
2. (obsolete, transitive)To make capable; to enable.
3. (obsolete, transitive)To dress.
4. (obsolete, transitive)To give power to; to reinforce; to confirm.
5. (obsolete, transitive)To vouch for; to guarantee.

   “None does offend, none....I’ll able ’em.”

6. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of can

   “I might be able to go.”

   “I have been able to go, since I was seven.”

   “I had been able to go before.”

   “I will be able to go tomorrow.”

noun

1. (uncountable)The letter "A" in Navy Phonetic Alphabet.
2. radiotelephony clear-code word for the letter A.

name

1. A surname.
2. (US, abbreviation, acronym, alt-of)Acronym of Achieving a Better Life Experience, a savings account for people with disabilities.

   “This provision permanently allows designated beneficiaries who make qualified contributions to their ABLE account to qualify for the Saver’s Credit.”