The word “coffee” entered the English language in 1582 via the Dutch “koffie,” borrowed from the Ottoman Turkish “kahve,” borrowed in turn from the Arabic “qahwah.” The Arabic word qahwah was traditionally held to refer to a type of wine.
UNABLE
unable
(adjective) (usually followed by ‘to’) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how; “unable to get to town without a car”; “unable to obtain funds”
unable
(adjective) (usually followed by ‘to’) lacking necessary physical or mental ability; “dyslexics are unable to learn to read adequately”; “the sun was unable to melt enough snow”
ineffective, ineffectual, unable
(adjective) lacking in power or forcefulness; “an ineffectual ruler”; “like an unable phoenix in hot ashes”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology 1
Adjective
unable (comparative unabler or more unable, superlative unablest or most unable)
Not able; lacking a certain ability.
Antonyms
• able
Etymology 2
Verb
unable (third-person singular simple present unables, present participle unabling, simple past and past participle unabled)
(transitive, non-standard) To render unable; disable
Anagrams
• Buelna, Nabeul, nebula, unbale
Source: Wiktionary
Un*a"ble, a.
Definition: Not able; not having sufficient strength, means, knowledge, skill, or the like; impotent' weak; helpless; incapable; -- now usually followed by an infinitive or an adverbial phrase; as, unable for work; unable to bear fatigue. Sapless age and weak unable limbs. Shak.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
23 May 2025
THOUGHTFULLY
(adverb) showing consideration and thoughtfulness; “he had thoughtfully brought with him some food to share”
Coffee Trivia
