capability

[key-puh-bil-i-tee] /ˌkeɪ pəˈbɪl ɪ ti/
noun, plural capabilities.
1.
the quality of being capable; capacity; ability:
His capability was unquestionable.
2.
the ability to undergo or be affected by a given treatment or action:
the capability of glass in resisting heat.
3.
Usually, capabilities. qualities, abilities, features, etc., that can be used or developed; potential:
Though dilapidated, the house has great capabilities.
Origin
1580-90; (< Middle French capabilité) < Late Latin capābili(s) capable + -ty2
Related forms
overcapability, noun, plural overcapabilities.
supercapability, noun, plural supercapabilities.
Examples from the web for capability
  • The index leaders are countries that usually perform well in more traditional rankings of current broadband capability.
  • The move to silicon optics would add a basic new capability to silicon chips: the ability to manipulate and respond to light.
  • Strong demonstrated interest and capability to undertake scholarly research publishable in leading journals.
  • Some scientists, he said, believe that even apes lack this capability.
  • The original device is replaced with a version with two-way capability.
  • The retention of a half capability is no capability at all.
  • They have the capability to send out general broadcasts of sonic energy and actually see with sound.
  • Your phone manufacturer should announce this capability soon.
  • Those indicate schoolmates who are nearby, as detected by the computers' built-in wireless networking capability.
  • Only humans, though, develop the physical capability to make the complex sounds of speech.
British Dictionary definitions for capability

capability

/ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlɪtɪ/
noun (pl) -ties
1.
the quality of being capable; ability
2.
the quality of being susceptible to the use or treatment indicated: the capability of a metal to be fused
3.
(usually pl) a characteristic that may be developed; potential aptitude
Word Origin and History for capability
n.

1580s, from capable + -ity. Capabilities "undeveloped faculty or property" is attested from 1778.

capability in Technology
operating system, security
An operating system security or access control model where specific types of access to a specific object are granted by giving a process this data structure or token.
The token may be unforgeable (typically by using encryption or hardware "tagged" memory). Capabilities are used in OSes such as Hydra, KeyKOS, EROS, Chorus/Mix, and the Stanford V system. Similar to Kerberos, but in an OS context.
Compare access control list.
(1998-03-08)