Definition of incapable

The word "incapable" originated from the Old French word "incapable" which meant "unable to be captured" or "unconquerable". This word, in turn, was derived from the Latin word "incapibilis" which formed two parts: "in," meaning "not" or "un," and "capere," meaning "to take" or "to seize." In its original meaning, "incapable" referred to something or someone that was too powerful, too fortified, or too elusive to be taken or defeated. Over time, the meaning of "incapable" evolved to describe someone who is not capable of, or not able to do, something. This new sense of the word is first recorded in the 16th century. Today, "incapable" is commonly used to describe a person who lacks the necessary skills, knowledge, or resources to perform a specific task or fulfill a certain responsibility. It can also be used to indicate a lack of physical or mental capacity, as in the expression "incapable of walking" or "incapable of understanding." In summary, the word "incapable" originated in the Old French language and was derived from the Latin words "in" and "capere." Its meaning has evolved over time to describe someone who lacks the ability to do something, a development that first occurred in the 16th century.