Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for IN-CA'PA-BLE
IN-CA-PA-BIL'I-TY, or IN-CA'PA-BLE-NESSIN-CA'PA-BLY
IN-CA'PA-BLE, a. [Fr. in and capable.]
- Wanting capacity sufficient; not having room sufficient to contain or hold; followed by of. We say, a vessel is incapable of containing or holding a certain quantity of liquor; but I believe we rarely or never say, a vessel is incapable of that quantity.
- Wanting natural power or capacity to learn, know, understand or comprehend. Man is incapable of comprehending the essence of the Divine Being. An idiot is incapable of learning to read.
- Not admitting; not in a state to receive; not susceptible of; as, a bridge is incapable of reparation.
- Wanting power equal to any purpose. Is not your father grown incapable, / Of reasonable affairs? Shak. [See No. 2.]
- Wanting moral power or disposition. He is incapable of a dishonorable act.
- Unqualified or disqualified, in a legal sense; not having the legal or constitutional qualifications. A man not thirty years of age is unqualified, and therefore incapable of holding the office of president of the United States; a man convicted on impeachment is disqualified, and therefore incapable of holding any office of honor or profit under the government. Incapable properly denotes a want of passive power, the power of receiving, and is applicable particularly to the mind; unable denotes the want of active power or power of performing, and is applicable to the body or mind. [See Incapacity.]
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