1
[ noun ] the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment

Used in print

(Handbook of Federal Aids to Communities. U.S. Dep...)

The credit requirements stipulate that the applicant must have the ability to operate the business successfully and have enough capital in the business so that , with loan assistance from the SBA , it will be able to operate on a sound financial basis .

The record of past earnings and prospects for the future must indicate it has the ability to repay the loan out of current and anticipated income .

(Jay C. Harris and John R. Van Wazer, "Detergent...)

Related_to micelle formation is the technologically important ability of detergent actives to congregate at oil_water_interfaces in such a manner that the polar ( or ionized ) end of the molecule is directed towards the aqueous phase and the hydrocarbon chain towards the oily phase .

(S. Idell Pyle, et al., Onsets, Completions, and...)

Thus , the Span of its ossification was shortened and the center 's ability to `` catch_up '' in ossification is demonstrated .

(William S. Haymond, "Is Distance an Original...)

The supposed tactual sense of spatial location and orientation in the patient and his ability to specify the location of a member , as_well_as the direction and scope of a movement , passively executed ( with one of his members ) , proved to have been , on_the_contrary , very considerably affected '' .

2
[ noun ] possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done

Synonyms

power

Examples

"danger heightened his powers of discrimination"

Used in print

(St. Louis Post-Dispatch,...)

The boys had a tremendous respect for each other 's ability .

Kieffer , the only junior in the group , was commended for his ability to hit in the clutch , as_well as his all-round excellent play .

Mays and Mantle , both 10 - year men at 30 , have so much ability that , baseball men agree , they 've never hit the heights .

(Richard I. McCosh, "Recreation Site Selection"...)

However , there is also much to be gained by making use of the abilities of the local people who are available and interested in recreation .

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