Question

ability
a.bil.i.ty  AHD[…-b¹l“¹-t¶]   DJ[*6b!l!ti8]  KK[*6b!l!ti]
n.（名词）  【复数】a.bil.i.ties
1.The quality of being able to do something; the physical, mental, financial, or legal power to perform.
    能力，资格：做某事的能力；去实施某事的体力、智力、经济或法律的力量
2.A natural or acquired skill or talent.
    能耐，才能：天生的或后天获得的技巧或才能
ORIGIN
1.Middle Englishabilite
    中古英语abilite
2.from Old Frenchhabilite
    源自 古法语habilite
3.from Latinhabilit³s
    源自 拉丁语habilit³s
4.fromhabilis [handy] * see  able
    源自habilis [手灵巧的] *参见able
SYNONYMS
1.ability,capacity,faculty,talent,skill,competence,aptitude
2.These nouns denote the qualities in a person that permit or facilitate achievement or accomplishment.
    这些名词都表示某人具有取得进步或成功的素质。
3.Ability   is the power, mental or physical, to do something:
    Ability  是指智力或体力上具有做某事的能力：
  “To make a fortune some assistance from fate is essential. Ability alone is insufficient”  (Ihara Saikaku).
    “要致富，光靠能力是不够的，还得看机遇” （伊哈拉·塞科古）。
4.Capacity   refers to an innate potential for growth, development, or accomplishment:
    Capacity  指天赋的，如生长、发展或成功的潜力：
  “Not by age but by capacity is wisdom acquired”  (Plautus).
    “智慧的获得是依靠才能而不是年龄” （普洛提斯）。
5.Faculty   denotes an inherent power or ability:
    Faculty  指内在的力量或能力：
    An unerring faculty for detecting hypocrisy is one of her most useful attributes.
    能无误地看出伪善的能力是她身上最有用的特征之一。
6.Talent   emphasizes inborn ability, especially in the arts:
    Talent  强调天生的才能，尤其是在艺术方面：
  “There is no substitute for talent. Industry and all the virtues are of no avail”  (Aldous Huxley).
    “勤奋及其他的品质都不能弥补天分的不足” （阿尔多斯·赫胥黎）。
7.Skill   stresses ability that is acquired or developed through experience:
    Skill  强调由经验而获得或发展的能力：
  “The intellect, character and skill possessed by any man are the product of certain original tendencies and the training which they have received”  (Edward L. Thorndike).
    “任何人的知识、性格和能力都是由起初的兴趣加上后来接受的训练而得到的。” （爱德华.L.桑戴克）。
8.Competence   suggests the ability to do something satisfactorily but not necessarily outstandingly well:
    Competence  指能做到使人满意但并不一定特别出众的能力：
    The concerto was performed by a violinist of unquestioned competence but limited imagination.
    小提琴家所演奏的协奏曲毫无疑问是出色的，但是缺乏想象力。
9.Aptitude   implies inherent capacity for learning, understanding, or performing:
    Aptitude  暗指内在的学习、理解和表演的才能：
    Even as a child he showed an unusual aptitude for mathematics.
    甚至孩童时他就显露出非同一般的数学才能
-ability
-ability 或 -ibility  
suff.（后缀）
    Ability, inclination, or suitability for a specified action or condition:
    能力，喜好，适宜性：对某一特殊行动或情况的能力、喜好或适宜性：
    teachability.
    适合教育
ORIGIN
1.Middle English-abilitie
    中古英语-abilitie
2.from Old French-abilite
    源自 古法语-abilite
3.from Latin-³bilit³s
    源自 拉丁语-³bilit³s
4.from-³bilis [-able]
    源自-³bilis [后缀，表“能…的”]