The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Able \A"ble\, a. [comp. Abler; superl. Ablest.] [OF. habile,
   L. habilis that may be easily held or managed, apt, skillful,
   fr. habere to have, hold. Cf. Habile and see Habit.]
   1. Fit; adapted; suitable. [Obs.]
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            A many man, to ben an abbot able.     --Chaucer.
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   2. Having sufficient power, strength, force, skill, means, or
      resources of any kind to accomplish the object; possessed
      of qualifications rendering competent for some end;
      competent; qualified; capable; as, an able workman,
      soldier, seaman, a man able to work; a mind able to
      reason; a person able to be generous; able to endure pain;
      able to play on a piano.
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   3. Specially: Having intellectual qualifications, or strong
      mental powers; showing ability or skill; talented; clever;
      powerful; as, the ablest man in the senate; an able
      speech.
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            No man wrote abler state papers.      --Macaulay.
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   4. (Law) Legally qualified; possessed of legal competence;
      as, able to inherit or devise property.
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   Note:

   Able for, is Scotticism.

            "Hardly able for such a march." --Robertson.
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   Syn: Competent; qualified; fitted; efficient; effective;
        capable; skillful; clever; vigorous; powerful.
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