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CAPABILITY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The quality of being capable -- physically or intellectually or legally
Example:
he worked to the limits of his capability
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("capability" is a kind of...):
ability (the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment)
Attribute:
incapable ((followed by 'of') lacking capacity or ability)
capable ((usually followed by 'of') having capacity or ability)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "capability"):
associability; associableness (the capability of being easily associated or joined or connected in thought)
defensibility (capability of being defended)
executability (capability of being executed)
capacity (capability to perform or produce)
military capability; military posture; military strength; posture; strength (capability in terms of personnel and materiel that affect the capacity to fight a war)
operating capability; performance capability (the capability of a technological system to perform as intended)
overkill (the capability to obliterate a target with more weapons (especially nuclear weapons) than are required)
Antonym:
incapability (the quality of not being capable -- physically or intellectually or legally)
Derivation:
capable ((usually followed by 'of') having capacity or ability)
Sense 2
Meaning:
An aptitude that may be developed
Synonyms:
capability; capableness; potentiality
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("capability" is a kind of...):
aptitude (inherent ability)
Attribute:
capable ((usually followed by 'of') having capacity or ability)
incapable ((followed by 'of') lacking capacity or ability)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "capability"):
perfectibility (the capability of becoming perfect)
compass; grasp; range; reach (the limit of capability)
imperfectibility (the capability of becoming imperfect)
Antonym:
incapability (lack of potential for development)
Derivation:
capable (have the skills and qualifications to do things well)
Sense 3
Meaning:
The susceptibility of something to a particular treatment
Example:
the capability of a metal to be fused
Synonyms:
capability; capacity
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Hypernyms ("capability" is a kind of...):
susceptibility; susceptibleness (the state of being susceptible; easily affected)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "capability"):
resistance (the capacity of an organism to defend itself against harmful environmental agents)
activity ((chemistry) the capacity of a substance to take part in a chemical reaction)
Derivation:
capable (possibly accepting or permitting)
Context examples:
The nanostructures "may unlock many new capabilities — in this case, to create special catalysts for chemical reactions that could provide sustainable energy."
(Promising new solar-powered path to hydrogen fuel production, National Science Foundation)
The Network will have the capability to conduct a broad spectrum of clinical trials in imaging.
(Cooperative Trial in Diagnostic Imaging, NCI Thesaurus)
The capability of being noticed, identified or discovered.
(Detectable, NCI Thesaurus)
Refers to a class of evolving technologies that provide leading-edge computational capabilities.
(High Performance Computing, NCI Thesaurus)
Methods that focus on the retention of a woman's reproductive capability.
(Fertility preservation, NCI Thesaurus)
A device that lacks adequate immunity or capabilities to resist electromagnetic interference (EMI).
(Inadequate Device Immunity Problem Evaluation Result, Food and Drug Administration)
They have a broad spectrum of functional activities that regulate the activities and capabilities of a wide variety of cell types.
(Interleukin, NCI Thesaurus)
An organization with the capability and competency to perform scientific research, experiments and measurements.
(Laboratory, NCI Thesaurus/BRIDG)
It has diagnostic (e.g., biopsy) and therapeutic capabilities.
(Endoscope, NCI Thesaurus)
The most common manifestations of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome are hyperextensible skin and joints, skin fragility and reduced wound healing capability.
(Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)
