Able

(ā'bl), a. [O. Fr. able, abel, Norm. Fr. ablez, hable, N. Fr. habile, Pr. abilh, habil, from Lat. habilis, that may be easily held or managed, apt, skillful, from habere, to have, hold.] Having ability or competency of any and every kind; possessing sufficient physical or mental power for the accomplishment of some object; having property, means, skill, dexterity, influence, opportunity, or legal qualifications rendering competent for some end; as, a man able to work; a mind able to reason; a person able to be generous; able to endure pain; able to play on a musical instrument; able to inherit or to devise property, &c.

Able for, is a Scotticism. “His [Charles the Fifth’s] soldiers, worn out with fatigue, were hardly able for such a march.” Robertson.