We are not abler than others whom you might find by the dozen in any civilised country.
And if not, are there not thousands of abler pens laboring for its improvement?
Had he lived, the composition of this book would have been in abler hands than mine.
In this respect Gladstone proved himself an abler tactician than Pitt.
Madame Letellier merits the description of an abler pen than mine.
All students of our art are familiar with it as presented by abler hands than mine.
So much the better, replied Pilledge; the business could not be in abler hands.
He was treading in the steps of other, and abler men, who had gone before him.
Stronger statements than these of Mill's, or by an abler authority, could not be asked for.
However, an abler Ministry than ever was got together, and in October he returned to London.
early 14c., from Old French (h)able (14c.), from Latin habilem, habilis "easily handled, apt," verbal adjective from habere "to hold" (see habit). "Easy to be held," hence "fit for a purpose." The silent h- was dropped in English and resisted academic attempts to restore it 16c.-17c., but some derivatives acquired it (e.g. habiliment, habilitate), via French.
Able-whackets - A popular sea-game with cards, in which the loser is beaten over the palms of the hands with a handkerchief tightly twisted like a rope. Very popular with horny-fisted sailors. [Smyth, "Sailor's Word-Book," 1867]
