Where does “ably” come from?

Ably is an English adverb formed from the adjective able plus the Old English -līċ suffix, which derives from Proto-Germanic -līkaz and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning "like" or "body."

ably (English): In an able manner; with great ability

Definitions

  1. In an able manner; with great ability

Ancestry of “ably”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishablecapable, expert, qualified, skilful, competent
2Old Frenchableable; capable
3Latinhabilisable to have/possess/maintain; having sufficient...
4Latin-ilis-ile
5Proto-Italic-elis—
6Proto-Indo-European-elis—
7Proto-Indo-European-lósForms agent nouns from verbal roots

Words derived from “ably”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European -lós →