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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary ca·pa·ble \\ˈkā-pə-bəl, in rapid speech ˈkāp-bəl\\ adjective ETYMOLOGY Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French capable, from Late Latin capabilis, irregular from Latin capere to take — more at heave
DATE 1579
1. susceptible a remark capable of being misunderstood2. obsolete : comprehensive 3. having attributes (as physical or mental power) required for performance or accomplishment is capable of intense concentration4. having traits conducive to or features permitting this woman is capable of murder by violence — Robert Graves an outer coat of light color capable of reflecting solar heat — Current Biography5. having legal right to own, enjoy, or perform6. having or showing general efficiency and ability a capable lawyer a capable performance• ca·pa·ble·ness \\ˈkā-pə-bəl-nəs\\ noun• ca·pa·bly \\-pə-blē\\ adverb
capable 1561, from L.L. capabilis "receptive," used by theologians, from L. capax "able to hold much," adj. form of capere "to take, grasp, lay hold, catch, undertake, be large enough for, comprehend," from PIE *kap-"to grasp" ( cf. Skt. kapati "two handfuls," Gk. kaptein "to swallow, gulp down," Lett. kampiu "seize," O.Ir
http://O.Ir . cacht "servant-girl," lit. "captive," Welsh caeth "captive, slave," Goth. haban "have, hold," O.E. hæft"handle," habban "to have, hold;" see have).
Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishcapable
adj. 1 having a lot of skill VERBS be, seem She seems very capable. ADV. extremely, highly, quite, very He has proved himself an extremely capable manager. 2 capable of: able to do sth VERBS appear, be, feel, look, prove, seem | become | believe sb, consider sb She could hardly believe him capable of such kindness. ADV. fully, more than, perfectly, quite, well She is more than capable of looking after herself. | barely, hardly, scarcely He was barely capable of writing his own name. | reasonably | clearly, obviously | potentially, theoretically | physically He was not physically capable of climbing out of the window. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 ☞ capablecap·able / 5keipEbl / adjective1. ~ of sth / of doing sth having the ability or qualities necessary for doing sth 有能力；有才能: He's quite capable of lying to get out of trouble. 他颇有能耐靠撒谎渡过难关。 I'm perfectly capable of doing it myself, thank you. 谢谢,我完全有能力自己做这项工作。 You are capable of better work than this. 你有能力做得比这更好。 2. having the ability to do things well 能力强的；足以胜任的 SYN skilled , competent : She's a very capable teacher. 她是一位能力很强的教师。 I'll leave the organization in your capable hands. 我要把组织工作交给你这位能手。 OPP incapable • cap·ably adv.
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged ca·pa·ble\ˈkāpəbəl, rapid -pb-\ adjective( sometimes -er/-est) Etymology: Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French capable, from Late Latin capabilis, irregular from Latin capere to take, contain — more at heave 1. archaic a. : able to take in, contain, receive, or accommodate < a room capable of 20 people > < a harbor capable of the largest ships > b. : able to perceive or comprehend < an ear capable of faint sounds > < when he became capable of ordinary occurrences she detailed all — James Stephens >2. : constituted, situated, or characterized as susceptible or open to being affected — used postpositively with following of < such as we, not capable of death or pain — John Milton > < an order capable of execution > < a passage capable of misinterpretation > < a formal doctrine capable of being expressed in a few catchwords — Lewis Mumford >3. obsolete : inclusive , comprehensive < a capable and wide revenge — Shakespeare >4. : having sufficient power, prowess, intelligence, resources, strength, or other needed attributes to perform or accomplish — usually used postpositively with of followed by a gerund or actional noun < a highly intelligent man, capable of close application of mind — Charles Dickens > < children are not capable of looking after their own interests — Bertrand Russell > < ships capable of facing the heavy seas — J.A.Froude >5. : marked by or possessed of a predisposition to : having characteristics or personality traits conducive to or admitting of — used postpositively with of < all who are capable of absorption in an inward passion — Bertrand Russell > < this woman is capable of murder by violence — Robert Graves > < a grace and dexterity of which no common maid is capable — Lafcadio Hearn >6. : possessed of or marked by general efficiency and ability and by adequate resourcefulness, skill, and reliability < capable pilots > < the capable direction of the play > < the capable fashioning fingers of the artist — W.S.Maugham > < still composed, still capable, still mistress of herself and any emergency — Ellen Glasgow >7. obsolete : having legal qualification or right to own, enjoy, or perform < of my land … to make thee capable — Shakespeare >Synonyms: see able
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