a (usually followed by `to') having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
able to swim she was able to program her computer we were at last able to buy a car able to get a grant for the project
s have the skills and qualifications to do things well
able teachers a capable administrator children as young as 14 can be extremely capable and dependable
s having inherent physical or mental ability or capacity
able to learn human beings are able to walk on two feet Superman is able to leap tall buildings
s having a strong healthy body
an able seaman every able-bodied young man served in the army
a not normal; not typical or usual or regular or conforming to a norm
abnormal powers of concentration abnormal amounts of rain abnormal circumstances an abnormal interest in food
a departing from the normal in e.g. intelligence and development
they were heartbroken when they learned their child was abnormal an abnormal personality
s much greater than the normal
abnormal profits abnormal ambition
r (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
in just about a minute he's about 30 years old I've had about all I can stand we meet about once a month
r all around or on all sides
dirty clothes lying around (or about) let's look about for help
r in the area or vicinity
a few spectators standing about
r used of movement to or among many different places or in no particular direction
wandering about with no place to go people were rushing about news gets around (or about)
r in or to a reversed position or direction
about face
r in rotation or succession
turn about is fair play
r (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
the job is (just) about done