Obs. For forms see ABLE a. [f. ABLE a. Cf. Fr. habiller, used in all the senses of this verb, from which a by-form, habyle, habylle, Sc. abilȝe, abulȝe, is also found in senses 1 and 2. In sense 3 replaced by ENABLE.]
1. trans. To fit, adapt; to prepare, make ready. (Const. to, into, unto.)
c. 1340. Hampole, Prose Tr. (1866), 20. Tille oure soule be somwhat … abiled to gostely werke.
c. 1430. in Babees Book (1868), 27. First þi silf able with al þin herte to vertuose discipline.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., III. viii. 324. Deedis … disposing and Abling into the grettist Unpitee.
1471. Ripley, Comp. Alch., V. iii. (1652), 148. Unto Regeneratyon them ablyng.
1553–87. Foxe, A. & M., I. 601/2. There are but few in number, that do able them thus faithfully to grace.
1583. Stanyhurst, Poems, 140. § 2. This new strange passadge winter his hoarnes habled.
2. To fit out or prepare the person; to attire, to dress. (Cf. ordinary mod. sense of Fr. habiller.)
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour, 159. He abled hym selff in an other gowne.
3. To endow with fitting power or strength; to make capable; to capacitate, or enable (to do anything).
1506. W. de Worde, Ordinary of Crysten Men, IV. iv. 172. It hym dysposeth & ableth to contynue in good werkes.
1617. Hieron, Wks., II. 249. Indowments … whereby the hauer of them is abled of God to performe & to discharge the seruices of that calling.
1693. Evelyn, Mem. (1857), III. 335. If God shall me able.
4. To endow with general power or skill (of body or mind); to make strong or powerful; to empower, strengthen, confirm or fortify.
1483. Caxton, Cato, h vi b. In lyke wyse by ofte studyeng … men able them in whatsomeuer scyence that it be.
1550. Bale, Im. of Both Ch., B. v. The Apostle of bothe testamentes, abled both by the lawe and the gospell.
1592. Wyrley, Armorie, ii. 115. Ioue abled much our might.
1631. J. Donne, Resurrection, in Farr’s S. P. (1848), 14. And life, by this death abled, shall controule Death.
b. To empower legally, to make competent.
c. 1470. E. E. Gilds, 316. And, whan he is abelled, to give a brekefast to the Maister and Wardons, or he bee admytted.
c. 1600. Strype, Ann. Ref., xxvii. 284 (1709). That none be abled in law to receive any benefice … unless he be a preacher.
c. To warrant, vouch for.
1605. Shaks., Lear, IV. vi. 172. None do’s offend, none, I say, none, I’ll able ’em.
