Comparative form of 'able': more capable, skilled, or competent than someone or something else.
From Old French 'able' (capable) via Latin 'habilis' (easily held, apt, fit), with the English comparative suffix '-er' added. The meaning shifted from 'fit to be held' to 'capable of doing things' over centuries.
English adjectives used to have tons of comparative forms: 'abler,' 'more able,' 'ablest'—and people still debate which sounds better! Meanwhile, 'happy' went to 'happier' and 'beautiful' to 'more beautiful,' showing how we lost consistency over time.
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