different between caliber vs ability

English

Alternative forms

• calibre (more common form in UK etc)

Etymology

From French calibre (“bore of a gun, size, capacity (literally, and figuratively), also weight”), from Italian calibro.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?kæl.?.b?(?)/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?kæl.?.b?/
• Hyphenation: cal?i?bre

Noun

caliber (countable and uncountable, plural calibers) (British spelling, Australia, Canada, New Zealand)

1. Diameter of the bore of a firearm, typically measured between opposite lands.
2. The diameter of round or cylindrical body, as of a bullet, a projectile, or a column.
3. A nominal name for a cartridge type, which may not exactly indicate its true size and may include other measurements such as cartridge length or black powder capacity. Eg 7.62×39 or 38.40.
4. Unit of measure used to express the length of the bore of a weapon. The number of calibres is determined by dividing the length of the bore of the weapon, from the breech face of the tube to the muzzle, by the diameter of its bore. A gun tube the bore of which is 40 feet (480 inches) long and 12 inches in diameter is said to be 40 calibers long.
5. (figuratively) Relative size, importance, magnitude.
6. (figuratively) Capacity or compass of mind.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Burke to this entry?)

7. (dated) Degree of importance or station in society.

Related terms

• calibrate
• calibration
• calipers

Translations

References

• caliber in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• caliber in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

References

The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Clarendon Press, 1989.

Anagrams

• calibre

English

Alternative forms

• abilitie, hability, habilitie (obsolete)

Etymology

First attested in the 1300s. From Middle English abilite (“suitability, aptitude, ability”), from Middle French habilité, from Old French ableté, from Latin habilit?s (“aptness, ability”), from habilis (“apt, fit, skillful, able”), equivalent to able +? -ity.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /??b?l.?.ti/, /??.b?l.?.ti/
• Rhymes: -?l?ti

Noun

ability (countable and uncountable, plural abilities)

1. (obsolete) Suitableness. [Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the late 17^th century.]
2. (uncountable) The quality or state of being able; capacity to do or of doing something; having the necessary power. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470).]
3. The legal wherewithal to act. [First attested in the mid 17^th century.]
4. (now limited to Scotland dialects) Physical power. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470).]
5. (archaic) Financial ability. [First attested in the early 16^th century.]
6. (uncountable) A unique power of the mind; a faculty. [First attested in the late 16 ^th century.]
7. (countable) A skill or competence in doing; mental power; talent; aptitude. [First attested in the early 17 ^th century.]
   • 1769, King James Bible, Acts 11:29

     Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren.

Usage notes

• Ability, capacity : these words 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 supposes 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. Thus we speak of the extraordinary capacity of such men as Lord Bacon, Blaise Pascal, and Edmund Burke. "Capacity," says H. Taylor, "is requisite to devise, and ability to execute, a great enterprise."
• The word abilities, in the plural, embraces both these qualities, and denotes high mental endowments.

Synonyms

• (quality or state of being able): capacity, faculty, capability
• (a skill or competence): See Thesaurus:skill
• (high level of skill or capability): talent, cleverness, dexterity, aptitude
• (suitability or receptiveness to be acted upon): capability, faculty, capacity, aptness, aptitude

Antonyms

• inability, unability
• disability

Derived terms

• notability

Related terms

• able

Translations

Further reading

• ability in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• ability in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

References