1. = INCAPABLE a. 1.
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, Answ. to H. Burton, 40. Men were uncapable of these doctrines.
1713. Steele, Englishm., No. 55. 356. I know some … uncapable of the deep Secrets which lie in their Bosoms.
2. = INCAPABLE a. 2.
1586. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., I. 191. The brutish part of the soule, depending of the feeding beast, and uncapeable of reason.
1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. xlix. § 3. Such as should be vncapable of so great a blessing.
1626. Prynne, Perpet. Regen. Man’s Est., 55. These promises which I haue mentioned must needes be absolute…, because that most of them are vncapable of any condition.
a. 1677. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., I. v. 113. All which will produce multitudes uncapable of Infinitude, as much as the several individuals of Mankind.
1683. Kennet, Erasm. on Folly (1709), 30. He would be … uncapable of any ease or satisfaction.
1737. Waterland, Eucharist, 111. Being utterly uncapable of any certain Proof, the Argument built thereupon, must of consequence fall to the Ground.
3. = INCAPABLE a. 3.
1611. Tourneur, Ath. Trag., II. i. I am uncapable of comfort.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., I. xvi. 81. There are few things, that are uncapable of being represented by Fiction.
1717. J. Kiell, Anim. Oecon. (1738), 263. Things that lessen Perspiration, by being uncapable of Reduction, by the digestive Powers, to a fineness suitable for such Discharge.
1758. Reid, trans. Macquer’s Chym., I. 6. The Earth, which we look upon as uncapable of vitrification.
4. = INCAPABLE a. 4 and 4 b.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., IV. i. 5. Thou art come to answere A stonie aduersary, an inhumane wretch, Vncapable of pitty.
1619. Naunton, in Fortescue Papers (Camden), 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, Athen. Brit., II. 426. He is as uncapable to calculate Eclipses as he is unfit … to Judge of the three first Christian Centuries.
1745. P. Thomas, Jrnl. Anson’s Voy., 154. Left us … to help ourselves, of which we were utterly uncapable.
1775. Adair, Amer. Ind., 176. Which might … render them uncapable of receiving the supposed divine inspiration.
1805–6. Cary, Dante, Inf., XXXIII. 91. Them … their tender years, thou modern Thebes, did make Uncapable of guilt.
5. = INCAPABLE a. 5. Also absol.
1627. Hakewill, Apol., Preface c v. Nature hath not made vs more vncapable then our Auncestours.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., X. 437. Preachers … who make conscience of their calling, and liue as Lanthorns to vncapable ignorants.
1653. R. Sanders, Physiogn., A 3 b. The eyes of the uncapable and ignorant debase, rather than illustrate and adorn them.
1712. W. Rogers, Voy. (1718), 300. Who have put the care of the said ship under an uncapable command.
1719. in W. S. Perry, Hist. Coll. Amer. Col. Ch. (1871), I. 221. Or which we are very uncapable Judges.
6. = INCAPABLE a. 6.
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. Sir G. Mackenzie, Crim. Laws Scot., I. xvii. § 10 (1699), 93. For though the Law make them uncapable to succeed as Heirs, yet it does not make them uncapable to receive a Disposition.
1706. De Foe, Jure Div., VIII. 189. The League deposed Henry the IIId, and declar’d him a Tyrant, a Murtherer, and uncapable to Reign.
1726. Swift, Gulliver, I. vi. The disbelief of a divine Providence renders a man uncapable of holding any public station.
Hence † Uncapableness. Obs.
1611. Cotgr., Incapacité,… incapacitie, vncapablenesse.
1612. T. Taylor, Comm. Titus iii. 6. 662. Oh let vs bewaile our owne vncapablenesse in the sence of our wants.
1657. J. Watts, Vind. Ch. Eng., 106. By reason of your uncapableness of them, by your ignorance.
1727. Bailey (vol. II.), Illacerableness, wholeness, or uncapableness of being torn.
