-ability

See also: ability

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English -ablete, -iblete, -abilite, -ibilite, from Middle French -ableté, -ibleté, -abilité, -ibilité, from Latin -abilitas, -ibilitas, from -abilis (able) or -ibilis (able) + -tas. Equivalent to -able + -ity.

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /əˈbɪl.ə.ti/

Suffix

-ability

  1. Forms a noun from a verb; ability, inclination or suitability for a specified function or condition.

Usage notes

  • Most words ending in "ability" formed in English are first attested after corresponding words ending in -able.
  • Note that this is not simply -able + -ity: in English it is a parallel formation, not a compound suffix: there is a sound and spelling change. Compare -ably (compound suffix) and -ification (parallel suffix).
  • Some words ending in -ability are alterations of words of French origin ending in -abilité or Latin words ending in -abilitās.

Derived terms

<a class='CategoryTreeLabel CategoryTreeLabelNs14 CategoryTreeLabelCategory' href='/wiki/Category:English_words_suffixed_with_-ability' title='Category:English words suffixed with -ability'>English words suffixed with -ability</a>

Translations

This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.