habilitate

[ huh-bil-i-teyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ha·bil·i·tat·ed, ha·bil·i·tat·ing.

1. to clothe or dress.
2. to make fit.

verb (used without object)

, ha·bil·i·tat·ed, ha·bil·i·tat·ing.

1. to become fit.
2. (in European and other educational systems) to qualify as professor or instructor after having earned one’s doctorate.

habilitate

/ həˈbɪlɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. tr to equip and finance (a mine)
2. intr to qualify for office
3. archaic.
   tr to clothe

Derived Forms

• haˌbiliˈtation, noun
• haˈbiliˌtator, noun

Other Words From

• ha·bil·i·ta·tion [h, uh, -bil-i-, tey, -sh, uh, n] noun
• ha·bil·i·ta·tive adjective
• ha·bil·i·ta·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of habilitate¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin habilitātus, past participle of habilitāre “to make fit”; ability, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of habilitate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin habilitāre to make fit, from Latin habilitās aptness, readiness; see ability

Example Sentences

A nation thus constituted could not habilitate slavery with all the hideous features it wore in Virginia and Massachusetts.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• attire
• bundle up
• cloak
• disguise
• do up
• drape
• dress
• dress up
• equip
• fit
• swaddle
• swathe