inability, disability

inability, disability
Inability means "lack of ability," "lack of capacity, power, or means": "His inability to pass a driver's test disturbs him." Disability also implies lack of power or ability, but a lack due to some permanent flaw, weakness, or handicap, either mental or physical: "Jeb was excused from service in the armed forces because of a serious physical disability." Inability is traceable to some inherent lack of talent or power that may or may not be due to actual disability: One's inability to speak may have been caused by a birth defect; his disability in speaking may have been caused by an injury.

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • inability — inability, disability are sometimes confused because of their verbal likeness. Although both denote a lack of ability to perform a given act or to follow a given trade or profession, they are otherwise clearly distinguished. Inability implies… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • disability — See inability. See inability, disability …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • inability — See inability, disability …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • disability — dis·abil·i·ty n pl ties 1: inability to pursue an occupation because of a physical or mental impairment; specif: inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be …   Law dictionary

  • disability — dis a*bil i*ty, n.; pl. {Disabilities}. 1. State of being disabled; deprivation or want of ability; absence of competent physical, intellectual, or moral power, means, fitness, and the like. [1913 Webster] Grossest faults, or disabilities to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • inability — I noun disability, disablement, disqualification, failure, helplessness, impotence, impuissance, inadequacy, incapability, incapacitation, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineffectualness, inefficacy, inefficiency, ineptitude, ineptness,… …   Law dictionary

  • Disability publications in the U.S. — Disability Theory and models …   Wikipedia

  • Disability Determination Services — Disability Determination Services, commonly called DDS, are state agencies, funded by the United States Federal Government.[1] Their purpose is to make disability findings for the Social Security Administration. Applicants for Social Security… …   Wikipedia

  • Inability — In a*bil i*ty, n. [Pref. in not + ability: cf. F. inhabilet[ e]. See {Able}, and cf. {Unable}.] The quality or state of being unable; lack of ability; lack of sufficient power, strength, resources, or capacity. [1913 Webster] It is not from an… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • inability to work — index disability (physical inability) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

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