Capable
mid 16th century (in the sense ‘able to take in’, physically or mentally): from French, from late Latin capabilis, from Latin capere ‘take or hold’.
wiktionary
Borrowed from Middle French capable, from Late Latin capābilis.
etymonline
capable (adj.)
"sufficiently able, having power or capacity, qualified," 1590s, from French capable "able, sufficient; able to hold," or directly from Late Latin capabilis "receptive; able to grasp or hold," used by theologians, from Latin capax "able to hold much, broad, wide, roomy;" also "receptive, fit for;" adjectival form of capere "to grasp, lay hold, take, catch; undertake; take in, hold; be large enough for; comprehend" (from PIE root *kap- "to grasp"). Other late 16c. senses in English, now obsolete, were "able to comprehend; able to contain; extensive." Related: Capably.
