capable

Where does the word "capable" come from? It comes from Latin capere, passing through Latin and French before entering English (1580s).

Capable’s story begins in Latin: capere meant “to take, to hold.” The root of 'capture', 'captive' and 'capacity'. Within Latin, it grew into capax by ancient. Able to hold much, from capere. From there it passed into French as capable by 1500s. Carried into French for having the ability to do something. It reached English by 1580s as capable. Settled as the English word for having the ability or capacity to do something. Today, capable means having the ability, skill, or capacity to do something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient capere "to take, to hold", the root of 'capture', 'captive' and 'capacity'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient capax "able to hold much", able to hold much, from capere.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1500s capable "having the ability to do something", carried into French for having the ability to do something.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1580s capable "having the ability or capacity to do something", settled as the English word for having the ability or capacity to do something.