Incapable
/ɪnˈkeɪ.pə.bəl/noun
Not able to do something; lacking the necessary ability or capacity.
Did you know?Incapable comes from Latin capere, “to take, seize, hold,” so the word’s hidden skeleton is about whether you can physically or mentally “catch” what life throws at you.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
incapābilis
“not able to take in, not capable of holding or receiving”
Late Latin
Latin
incapabilis
“unable to contain or receive”
Old French
Old French
incapable
“incapable, unable”
14th–15th Century
English
incapable
“lacking power, capacity, or ability”
Modern English
English
incapable
“not able to do something; lacking the necessary ability or capacity”