inability — inability, disability are sometimes confused because of their verbal likeness. Although both denote a lack of ability to perform a given act or to follow a given trade or profession, they are otherwise clearly distinguished. Inability implies… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
Inability — In a*bil i*ty, n. [Pref. in not + ability: cf. F. inhabilet[ e]. See {Able}, and cf. {Unable}.] The quality or state of being unable; lack of ability; lack of sufficient power, strength, resources, or capacity. [1913 Webster] It is not from an… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
inability — (n.) mid 15c., inhabilite, disqualification for office, from IN (Cf. in ) (1) + ABILITY (Cf. ability). Earlier was unability incapability; incompetence (late 14c.). General sense by c.1500 … Etymology dictionary
inability — [n] disabling lack of talent, skill disqualification, failure, frailty, impotence, inadequacy, inaptitude, incapability, incapacitation, incapacity, incompetence, ineffectiveness, ineffectualness, inefficacy, inefficiency, ineptitude, ineptness,… … New thesaurus
inability — ► NOUN ▪ the state of being unable to do something … English terms dictionary
inability — [in΄ə bil′i tē] n. [ME inabilite: see IN 2 & ABILITY] the quality or state of being unable; lack of ability, capacity, means, or power … English World dictionary
inability — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ apparent, seeming ▪ complete, total ▪ chronic ▪ the government s chronic inability to face facts ▪ … Collocations dictionary
inability — n. inability to + inf. (her inability to pay caused trouble) * * * [ˌɪnə bɪlɪtɪ] inability to + inf. (her inability to pay caused trouble) … Combinatory dictionary
inability — in|a|bil|i|ty [ˌınəˈbılıti] n [singular, U] the fact of being unable to do something inability to do sth ▪ Alcoholism can result in an inability to cope. ▪ the government s inability to enforce the ceasefire … Dictionary of contemporary English
inability — in|a|bil|i|ty [ ,ınə bıləti ] noun uncount * inability to do something the fact of not being able to do something: He was frustrated by his inability to control the ball. the stomach s inability to cope with certain foods … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
