myEtymology.com: English etymology of ability

Etymology of the English word ability

the English word ability

derived from the Old French word ability

derived from the Latin word habilitas (aptitude, handiness; ability; aptitude)

derived from the Classical Latin word habilis (able; easy to hold, manageable, apt; handy, manageable; apt)

derived from the Latin word habere (to have, hold; have, hold, consider)

derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *ghabh-

using the Latin suffix -ilis (-ile)

derived from the Old French word ablete

derived from the Latin word habilitas (aptitude, handiness; ability; aptitude)

derived from the Classical Latin word habilis (able; easy to hold, manageable, apt; handy, manageable; apt)

derived from the Latin word habere (to have, hold; have, hold, consider)

derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *ghabh-

using the Latin suffix -ilis (-ile)

derived from the Old French word habilite

derived from the Latin word habilitas (aptitude, handiness; ability; aptitude)

derived from the Classical Latin word habilis (able; easy to hold, manageable, apt; handy, manageable; apt)

derived from the Latin word habere (to have, hold; have, hold, consider)

derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *ghabh-

using the Latin suffix -ilis (-ile)

The earliest known usage of ability in English dates from the 14th century.

Word found in Modern English