† uncapableadj.
Obsolete.
1. = incapable adj. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > inability > [adjective] > unable to take in, hold, or keep
uncapable1587
1587 W. Fowler Wks. (S.T.S.) I. 98 My daisled eyes, vncapable of suche a splendant light.
1634 Abp. Williams in Laud's Wks. (1857) VI. 405 I do endeavour, by my life and conversation, to make myself a vessel not altogether uncapable of that sacred oil.
1637 C. Dow Answer to H. Burton 40 Men were uncapable of these doctrines.
1713 R. Steele Englishman No. 55. 356 I know some..uncapable of the deep Secrets which lie in their Bosoms.
2. = incapable adj. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > inability > [adjective] > unable to receive or be affected by
uncapable1586
1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. I. 202 The brutish part of the soule, depending of the feeding beast, and vncapeable of reason.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. xlix. 104 Such as should be vncapable of so great a blessing.
1626 W. Prynne Perpetuitie Regenerate Mans Estate 55 These promises which I haue mentioned must needes be absolute.., because that most of them are vncapable of any condition.
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) i. v. 113 All which will produce multitudes uncapable of Infinitude, as much as the several individuals of Mankind.
1683 Bp. W. Kennett tr. Erasmus Encomium Moriæ (1709) 30 He would be..uncapable of any ease or satisfaction.
1737 D. Waterland Rev. Doctr. Eucharist 111 Being utterly uncapable of any certain Proof, the Argument built thereupon, must of consequence fall to the Ground.
3. = incapable adj. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > operation upon something > [adjective] > involving subjection to action or influence > able or liable to be affected > not
superior1566
unsubject1583
unliable1590
insusceptible1603
uncapable1611
unexposeda1691
impassive1715
unsusceptible1734
insusceptive1752
waterproof1797
unsubjectable1829
immune1861
1611 C. Tourneur Atheist's Trag. (new ed.) ii. sig. D3v I am vncapable Of comfort.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan i. xvi. 81 There are few things, that are uncapable of being represented by Fiction.
1738 tr. J. Quincy in J. Keill Ess. Animal Oecon. (ed. 4) 263 Things that lessen Perspiration, by being uncapable of Reduction.
1758 A. Reid tr. P. J. Macquer Elements Theory & Pract. Chym. I. 6 The Earth, which we look upon as uncapable of vitrification.
4. = incapable adj. 4.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > inability > [adjective] > incapable of doing something
unablec1380
void1578
uncapable1600
incapablea1616
destitute1645
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 4 Thou art come to aunswere a stonie aduersarie, an inhumaine wretch, vncapable of pitty. View more context for this quotation
1619 Sir R. Naunton in S. R. Gardiner Fortescue Papers (1871) 105 It would make him uncapable to do the service he pretends he can from Rome and other partes.
1642 Complaint Ho. Comm. 19 We shal be made uncapable of taking fruit by it.
1716 M. Davies Athenæ Britannicæ II. 426 He is as uncapable to calculate Eclipses as he is unfit..to Judge of the three first Christian Centuries.
1745 P. Thomas True Jrnl. Voy. South-Seas 154 Left us..to help ourselves, of which we were utterly uncapable.
1775 J. Adair Hist. Amer. Indians 176 Which might..render them uncapable of receiving the supposed divine inspiration.
1805–6 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Inferno xxxiii. 91 Them..their tender years, thou modern Thebes, did make Uncapable of guilt.
5. = incapable adj. 5. Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > inability > [adjective]
unmightyOE
unmightfulc1450
disablea1500
non-able1552
incapable1597
uncapable1627
matterless1794
1627 G. Hakewill Apologie Pref. sig. C5 Nature hath not made vs more vncapable then our Auncestours.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. x. 437 Preachers..who make conscience of their calling, and liue as Lanthorns to vncapable ignorants.
1653 R. Saunders Physiognomie Ep. Ded. sig. A3v The eyes of the uncapable and ignorant, debase, rather then illustrate and adorn them.
1712 W. Rogers Cruising Voy. 309 Who have put the Care of the said Ship under an uncapable Command.
1719 in W. S. Perry Hist. Coll. Amer. Colonial Church: Virginia (1870) I. 221 Of which we are very uncapable Judges.
6. = incapable adj. 6.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal capacity > [adjective] > not
uncapable1589
incompetent1595
incapable1651
1589 Act 31 Eliz. c. 6 §2 Everie person, by whom..anye Monye..shalbe given or agreed to be payde,..shalbe uncapeable of that Place or Roome for that tyme or turne.
1602 Hist. Eng. in Harl. Misc. (1809) II. 439 A notorious offender, exempt from the ordinary protection of the laws, uncapable of any preferment.
1678 G. Mackenzie Laws & Customes Scotl. i. 182 For though the Law make them uncapable to succeed as Heirs, yet it does not make them uncapable to receive a disposition.
1706 D. Defoe Jure Divino viii. 31 The League deposed Henry the IIId, and declar'd him a Tyrant, a Murtherer, and uncapable to Reign.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. vi. 99 The Disbelief of a Divine Providence renders a Man uncapable of holding any Publick Station.
Derivatives
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > inability > [noun]
unablenessc1380
unabletyc1380
infirmityc1384
unabilityc1475
non-ability1477
inability1500
disability1545
unsufficiency1580
disablement1597
disableness1609
incapacity1611
uncapableness1611
incapability1632
incapableness1632
uncapabilitya1644
incompatibility1659
incompetibilitya1660
uncapacity1681
invalidity1698
disable1827
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Incapacité,..incapacitie, vncapablenesse.
1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus iii. 6. 662 Oh let vs bewaile our owne vncapablenesse in the sence of our wants.
1657 J. Watts Scribe, Pharisee 106 By reason of your uncapableness of them, by your ignorance.
1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II Illacerableness, wholeness, or uncapableness of being torn.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
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adj.1586