a|bil|i|ty

a|bil|i|ty
a|bil|i|ty «uh BIHL uh tee», noun, plural -ties.
1. the power to do or act: »

the ability to think clearly. The old horse still has the ability to work.

 SYNONYM(S): capability, capacity.
2. skill: »

Washington had great ability as a general.

3. power to do some special thing; natural gift; talent: »

Musical ability often shows itself early in life.

╂[< Middle French habilité, learned borrowing from Latin habilitās aptness < habilis able]
Synonym Study 2, 3 Ability, talent mean special power to do or for doing something. Ability applies to a demonstrated physical or mental power to do a certain thing well: »

She has developed unusual ability as a dancer.

Talent applies to an inborn capacity for doing a special thing: »

a child with a remarkable talent for painting.

Usage After ability the infinitive of a verb preceded by to is used, rather than the gerund preceded by of: »

A lawyer needs the ability to think clearly, not of thinking clearly.

 The preposition used after ability and before a noun is in: »

ability in music.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Bil (mythologie) — Bil et Hjúki Bil et Hjúki sont les deux enfants qui suivent la Lune, Máni, dans la mythologie nordique. Fille et fils de Vidfinn, ils furent enlevés par Máni alors qu ils revenaient du puits Byrgir, portant sur leurs épaules le seau Sæg au moyen… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Bil Keane — (1990) William „Bil“ Keane (* 5. Oktober 1922 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; † 8. November 2011 in Paradise Valley, Arizona[1]) war ein US amerikanischer …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Bil — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. {{{image}}}   Sigles d une seule lettre   Sigles de deux lettres > Sigles de trois lettres …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Bil Baird — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda William Britton Baird (15 de agosto de 1904 – 18 de marzo de 1987),Bil Baird como nombre artístico, aunque suelen hacerse referencia a él como Bill Baird, era un marionetista estadounidense de mediados y finales del… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Bil Herd — was a designer of 8 bit home computers while working for Commodore Business Machines in the early to mid 1980s. After first acting as the principal engineer on the Commodore Plus/4, C16/116, C264, and C364 machines, Herd designed the… …   Wikipedia

  • Bil — steht für: Bil (Mythologie), eine Gestalt aus der germanischen Mythologie BIL steht für: Berliner Institut für Lehrerfort und weiterbildung und Schulentwicklung Banque internationale du Luxembourg Billings Logan International Airport, ein… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Bil et Hjúki — sont les deux enfants qui suivent la Lune, Máni, dans la mythologie nordique. Fille et fils de Vidfinn, ils furent enlevés par Máni alors qu ils revenaient du puits Byrgir, portant sur leurs épaules le seau Sæg au moyen du bâton Simul. Depuis,… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • bil. — bil. bil. written abbreviation for billion; = bn Bre * * * bil. UK US noun [C] ► WRITTEN ABBREVIATION for BILLION(Cf. ↑billion): »Our aim is to save $2 bil. a ye …   Financial and business terms

  • Bil Jackson — is a professional classical clarinetist. He started his symphonic career with the Honolulu Symphony in 1980 where he was principal clarinetist for two seasons. Jackson has worked with various performers in the orchestral and chamber setting… …   Wikipedia

  • Biləcik — or Biledzhik or Baledzhik or Bilyadzhik may refer to: *Birinci Biləcik, Azerbaijan *İkinci Biləcik, Azerbaijan …   Wikipedia

  • BIL — steht für: Bil (Mythologie), eine Gestalt aus der germanischen Mythologie BIL steht für: Berliner Institut für Lehrerfort und weiterbildung und Schulentwicklung Banque internationale du Luxembourg Billings Logan International Airport, ein… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”