able

Where does the word "able" come from? It comes from Latin habere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Able’s story begins in Latin: habere meant “to have, to hold.” To have, to hold, giving rise to habilis (easily handled, apt). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as able. Carried into French for something easily handled or capable, from habilis. It reached English by 1300s as able. First recorded before 1382 in the Wycliffite Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate. Today, able means having the power, skill, or means to do something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient habere "to have, to hold", to have, to hold, giving rise to habilis (easily handled, apt).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval able "easily handled, capable", carried into French for something easily handled or capable, from habilis.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s able "having the power, skill, or means to do something", first recorded before 1382 in the Wycliffite Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate.