Disabilities

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  disability \dis`a*bil"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Disabilities}.
     1. State of being disabled; deprivation or want of ability;
        absence of competent physical, intellectual, or moral
        power, means, fitness, and the like.
        [1913 Webster]
  


              Grossest faults, or disabilities to perform what was
              covenanted.                           --Milton.
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              Chatham refused to see him, pleading his disability.
                                                    --Bancroft.
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     2. Want of legal qualification to do a thing; legal
        incapacity or incompetency.
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              The disabilities of idiocy, infancy, and coverture.
                                                    --Abbott.
  
     Syn: Weakness; inability; incompetence; impotence;
          incapacity; incompetency; disqualification.
  
     Usage: -- {Disability}, {Inability}. Inability is an inherent
            want of power to perform the thing in question;
            disability arises from some deprivation or loss of the
            needed competency. One who becomes deranged is under a
            disability of holding his estate; and one who is made
            a judge, of deciding in his own case. A man may
            decline an office on account of his inability to
            discharge its duties; he may refuse to accept a trust
            or employment on account of some disability prevents
            him from entering into such engagements.
            [1913 Webster]