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definitions

habilitate

[ huh-bil-i-teyt ]
/ həˈbɪl ɪˌteɪt /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR habilitate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ha·bil·i·tat·ed, ha·bil·i·tat·ing.

to clothe or dress.
to make fit.

verb (used without object), ha·bil·i·tat·ed, ha·bil·i·tat·ing.

to become fit.

RELATED WORDS

talent, competence, quality, ability, stature, gift, faculty, dignity, strength, force, constitution, power, nature, essence, merit, value, capability, appetency, virtue, distinction

Nearby words

haberdashery, habergeon, habermas, habile, habiliment, habilitation, habima, habiri, habiru, habit, habit spasm

Origin of habilitate

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin habilitātus, past participle of habilitāre to make fit. See ability, -ate1
Related formsha·bil·i·ta·tion, nounha·bil·i·ta·tive, adjectiveha·bil·i·ta·tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for habilitation

  • With such a Society those who undertook this project for the habilitation of criticism would necessarily co-operate and interlock.

    Mankind in the Making|H. G. Wells

British Dictionary definitions for habilitation

habilitate

/ (həˈbɪlɪˌteɪt) /

verb

(tr) mainly Western US to equip and finance (a mine)
(intr) to qualify for office
(tr) archaic to clothe
Derived Formshabilitation, nounhabilitator, noun

Word Origin for habilitate

C17: from Medieval Latin habilitāre to make fit, from Latin habilitās aptness, readiness; see ability
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012