| ability | The quality or state of being able; power to perform, whether physical, moral, intellectual, conventional, or legal; capacity; skill or competence in doing; sufficiency of strength, skill, resources, etc.; in the plural, faculty, talent. "Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren." (Acts xi. 29) "Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study." (Bacon) "The public men of England, with much of a peculiar kind of ability." (Macaulay) Ability and capacity come into comparison when applied to the higher intellectual powers. Ability has reference to the active exercise of our faculties. It implies not only native vigor of mind, but that ease and promptitude of execution which arise from mental training. Thus, we speak of the ability with which a book is written, an argument maintained, a negotiation carried on, etc. It always something to be done, and the power of doing it. Capacity has reference to the receptive powers. In its higher exercises it supposes great quickness of apprehension and breadth of intellect, with an uncommon aptitude for acquiring and retaining knowledge. Hence it carries with it the idea of resources and undeveloped power. The word abilities, in the plural, embraces both these qualities, and denotes high mental endowments. See: able. Synonym: Capacity, talent, cleverness, faculty, capability, efficiency, aptitude, aptness, address, dexterity, skill. Origin: F. Habilete, earlier spelling habilite (with silent h), L. Habilitas aptitude, ability, fr. Habilis apt. (11 Mar 1998) |
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| abiogenesis | <study> The scientific study of how life originally arose on the planet, presumably from nonliving things and the presence of nonliving organic matter. (09 Oct 1997) |
| abiogenetic | <biology> Of or pertaining to abiogenesis. (11 Mar 1998) |
| abiogenic | <biology> Refers to things not involved with or produced by living organisms. Origin: Gr. Gennan = to produce (06 May 1997) |
| abiogenist | <biology> One who believes that life can be produced independently of antecedent. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| abiogenous | <biology> Produced by spontaneous generation. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| abiogeny | <study> The scientific study of how life originally arose on the planet, presumably from nonliving things and the presence of nonliving organic matter. (09 Oct 1997) |
| abiological | Pertaining to the study of inanimate things. (11 Mar 1998) |
| abioseston | <biology> A general term for dead organic material floating suspended in ocean water. (06 May 1997) |
| abiotic | <biology> Refers to nonliving objects, substances or processes. (06 May 1997) |
| abiotic stress | <botany> Nonliving environmental factors (such as drought, extreme cold or heat, high winds) that can have harmful effects on plants. (06 May 1997) |
| abiotic transformation | <biochemistry> An abiotic transformation is any process in which a chemical in the environment is altered by non-biological mechanisms (such as by exposure to sunlight). (09 Oct 1997) |
| abiotrophy | <biology> Premature loss of a cell or tissues ability to function. (06 May 1997) |
| abirritant | <pharmacology> A medicine that diminishes irritation. (11 Mar 1998) |
| abirritate | <medicine> To diminish the sensibility of; to debilitate. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |