See Also: Incapable(medicine)
incapable(dictionary)
incapable(dictionary)

incapable (iou)



incapable adjective & noun. L16.
[French, or late Latin incapabilis, formed as IN-3 + capabilis CAPABLE.]
A. adjective.
Lacking or deficient in ordinary powers or natural ability; incompetent; not capable of rational conduct. L16.
Ld Macaulay That the finances might not be ruined by incapable and inexperienced Papists. C. Mackenzie He's utterly drunk and incapable.
Foll. by of: unable to receive, contain, or keep something. E17-M19.
Leigh Hunt This dandy would be incapable of his own wealth.
b. Impatient or intolerant of. M17-E18.
Steele Your Temper is Wanton, and incapable of the least Pain.
Foll. by of: unable to be affected or influenced by; insensible to. Now rare or obsolete. E17.
Shakespeare Hamlet As one incapable of her own distress.
Not having the capacity or fitness for a specified purpose, action, etc.; unable. Foll. by of, to do. E17.
A. T. Ellis Something in me..was arid and incapable of desire. L. Gordon The madman, living in mental isolation, is incapable of judging the quality of his ideas.
b. spec. Too honest etc. to be capable of. M18.
E. Young The world..was incapable of so great a guilt. Sir W. Scott My foes..have laid things to my charge whereof I am incapable.
Not (esp. legally) qualified or entitled; disqualified. Foll. by of, to do. M17.
Addison The Jews..are in most, if not all, Places incapable of either Lands or Offices.
Of a nature or in a condition not allowing or admitting of a specified thing; not susceptible of (improvement etc.). Foll. by of, to do. L17.
B. Stewart Unavoidable loss of heat which is incapable of accurate measurement.
b. noun. An incompetent or incapable person. E19.
incapa'bility noun M17.
incapableness noun M17.
incapably adverb M19.