[f. next; see -ITY.]
1. Fitness to be chosen or preferred.
1651. Jer. Taylor, Holy Dying, VI. iii. 116 (T.). Sicknesse hath some degrees of eligibility, at least by an after-choice.
1688. Norris, Theory Love, I. v. 57. Evill … must in order to eligibility be considered under the formality of good.
2. The condition of being eligible to an office.
1715. Lond. Gaz., No. 5387/1. The Imperial Ambassador solicited the Pope for a Brief of Eligibility to the Church of Munster.
1777. Burke, Sp. Middx. Election, Wks. X. 69. The eligibility of persons to serve in Parliament.
1815. Hist. Univ. Cambridge, I. 130. The eligibility to which [fellowships] is not subject to any … limitations.
1844. Ld. Brougham, Brit. Const., vii. (1862), 95. Without any restriction whatever upon eligibility, except the period of infancy.
3. contr. in pl. Eligible courses of action; also, qualities that render (a man) eligible.
1660. Jer. Taylor, Duct. Dubit., IV. i. § 1 II. 440. He [God] hath set before us eligibilities in order to several ends, which must either be wholly to no purpose, or … to evil purpose, or else … to a very good purpose.
1865. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., II. VII. i. 237. These are his eligibilities, recommending him at Berlin.
