possibilityn.
/ˌpɒsᵻˈbɪlᵻti/, U.S. /ˌpɑsəˈbɪlᵻdi/ a. The fact of something (expressed or implied) being possible to one, whether through circumstance or power; capacity, capability, power, ability; (also) pecuniary ability, means. Occasionally in plural. Obsolete (in later use merged in sense 2a).In quot. a1616: possibility or chance of having something; cf. sense 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > [noun]
speed971
mightOE
ferec1175
evenc1225
powerc1300
possibilityc1385
actualitya1398
actualnessa1398
mowing?a1425
virtuality1483
cana1500
canning1549
reach1556
capability1587
strain1593
capableness1594
ablesse1598
fathoma1616
dacity1636
factivitya1643
capacity1647
range1695
span1805
quality1856
faculty1859
octane1989
the world > action or operation > easiness > [noun] > feasibility
possibilityc1385
feasibility1624
feasibleness1633
possibleness1642
practicableness1648
practicability1665
workableness1791
executibility1801
workability1843
operability1905
performability1941
viability1955
society > trade and finance > money > funds or pecuniary resources > [noun]
coffer1377
pursec1384
possibilityc1385
moneyc1390
financec1475
abilityc1503
purse stringc1530
moyen1547
means1560
financy1600
pocket1633
fonds1669
wherewith1674
apoinctee1682
funds1700
ways and means1738
money stock1743
pecuniary1748
pecuniar1793
wherewithal1809
ante1843
pocketbook1897
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > possibility > [noun]
possibilityc1385
reason1567
possibleness1642
possibly1881
c1385 G. Chaucer Knight's Tale 1291 For, as by wey of possibilitee, Sith thou art at thy large of prisoun free And art a lord, greet is thyn auauntage, Moore than is myn that sterue here in a cage.
1434 Rolls of Parl. V. 436/1 The whiche affeccioun must lede me to tendre with alle my possibilitee all that may bee to the worship and wele of youre Hieghness.
a1475 J. Shirley Death James (BL Add. 5467) in Miscellanea Scotica (1818) II. 6 (MED) They ordeynd hem, for dowte of thare lyvys, with a gret nowmber of thare frendis and subjectes, with all the possibilite, to passe the see ynto France.
c1480 (a1400) St. Machor 685 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 20 Eftyr my possybilyte, dere sone, I sal helpe þe.
a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 99 Þou shalt þan fruisshe abundance of pes after þe possibilite of þi duellyng place.
?1536 R. Copland Hye Way to Spyttell Hous sig. C.iv Yong brethren of small possybylyte Not hauyng wherwith to mayntene suche degre.
1544 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 249 Consider his qualeties, his living, his posabilete, and confer al together.
1552 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 133 We..offerit us to do thairfor..all that lay in our possibilliteis.
1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 98 He that maketh Lawes, must haue regarde to the common possibilitie of men.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. ii. 35 I haue speeded hither with the very extreamest inch of possibility . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) v. vi. 146 Ile rather keepe That which I haue, than coueting for more Be cast from possibility of all. View more context for this quotation
1648 T. Gage Eng.-Amer. (1655) x. 33 We could not, although we proved all our possibility by night and day.
1790 W. Paley Horæ Paulinæ Rom. i. 11 An instance of conformity beyond the possibility..of random writing to produce.
1815 Zeluca III. 78 An object who interfered with her wishes, to a degree it was not in her possibility for any other Creature to approach to.
1856 E. B. Browning Aurora Leigh iii. 107 We show the sort of monster Romney is, With god-like virtues and heroic aims Subjoined to limping possibilities Of mismade human nature.
b. in possibility (also later, in a possibility): in such a position that something (expressed or implied) is possible; having a prospect, expectation, or chance (of something or to do something). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > [adjective] > expected
futurec1374
in a possibility1523
forestalled1543
looked-for1548
anticipatec1550
expected1558
long-looked-for1562
looked1565
in expectation1570
expectable1619
expecting1621
in perspective1633
unsurprising1671
in prospect1694
perspective1710
in prospective1746–7
prospective1809
anticipated1814
presumable1825
anticipatable1872
ex ante1937
the world > action or operation > advantage > an opportunity > while opportunity exists [phrase] > have opportunity
in a possibility1523
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. 794 Duke Aubert had nat bene in trewe possession of Heynalt, but in possibylite therof.
1591 J. Harington Briefe Apol. Poetrie in tr. L. Ariosto Orlando Furioso sig. ¶viijv I be in such faire possibilitie to be thought a foole, or fantasticall for my labour.
1605 G. Chapman Al Fooles in Wks. (1873) I. 182 That they who are alreadie in possession of it, may beare their heades aloft..and they that are but in possibilitie, may be rauisht with a desire to be in possession.
1605 Famous Hist. Capt. Stukeley sig. B2v I am in possibility to marry Alderman Curtesses Daughter.
1640 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Literary Men (1843) (Camden) 165 That I should sitt a Judge ther, wheere I was latelie in possibilitie to have been splitt & ruined.
1682 J. Dryden Religio Laici Pref. sig. a2v Heathens, who never did..hear of the name of Christ were yet in a possibility of Salvation.
1775 C. Lennox Old City Manners v. i. 53 First to be stolen from my friends..by a 'prentice, in the disguise of a gentleman, and brought up to London here, and promised marriage, and now likely to be forsaken, for he is in a possibility to be hang'd.
c. In singular and plural. (Favourable) financial prospects. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > [noun] > object of > pecuniary
possibility1592
1592 R. Greene Quip for Vpstart Courtier sig. D3 A yoong gentleman of faire liuing, in issue of good parents or assured possibilitie.
1593 T. Nashe Christs Teares f. 45v Vsury cryeth to the children of Prodigality in the streetes: All you that will take vp mony or commodities, on your Land or possibilities, to banquet, riot, and be drunke, come vnto vs, and you shall be furnished.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. i. 58 Slen. I know the young Gentlewoman, she has good gifts. Euan. Seuen hundred pounds, and possibilities, is goot gifts. View more context for this quotation
1637 T. Heywood Royall King ii. iii You know I am my Fathers heire, My possibilities may raise his hopes To their first height.
1843 R. H. Barham in New Monthly Mag. 68 348 I find, on perusing her Grandfather's will, it is Clear she had ‘good gifts beside possibilities’.
2. † b. in possibility: (a) not actually existing, but that may come to exist; potential; = in posse adv.; (b) in relation to something possible but not actual; potentially. See also sense 1b. Obsolete.† c. Law. after possibility [short for after possibility of issue extinct] : when there is no longer any possibility of issue. Obsolete.
a. The condition or quality of being possible; capability of existing, happening, or being done (in general, or under particular conditions). Also: contingency, likelihood, chance. by any possibility (also † by possibility): in any possible way, by any existing or available means, possibly; so also by no possibility.† of possibility rare: characterized by possibility, possible.
ΚΠ
c1395 G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale 1343 Wende I neuere by possibilitee [v.r. possibelite] That swich a monstre or merueille myghte be.
a1425 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (1987) iii. 448 That kan I deme of possibilitee.
c1451 J. Capgrave Life St. Gilbert (1910) 101 If it so were þat þis persecucion schuld last so longe, allþis lond schuld be possibilite be distroyed.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xi. 39 That the comon wyt, by possibilitie, Maye well a judge the perfyt veritie Of theyr sentence.
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer iii. f. cccliiv Nowe thou seest..the possibylite of thilke that thou wendest had ben impossyble.
1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie i. iv. 56 That high perfection of blisse, wherein nowe the elect Angels are without possibilitie of falling.
1648 Bp. J. Wilkins Math. Magick i. xiv. 94 To understand that assertion of Archimedes concerning the possibility of moving the world.
1709 F. Atterbury Serm. St. Brigit's 14 Shall we be discouraged from any Attempt of doing good, by the Possibility of our failing in it?
1805 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. V. 360 These continuances, therefore, take away all presumption and possibility, that the judgment was given on the first day of the term.
1834 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz (1836) 2nd Ser. 52 We never imagined that the distinguished functionary could by possibility live anywhere else!
1884 F. Temple Relations Relig. & Sci. (1885) vii. 193 Science and Revelation come into..collision on the possibility of miracles.
1892 G. Gissing Born in Exile I. ii. i. 173 No answer could by possibility reach you.
1907 N.E.D. at Possibility sb. If I could by any possibility manage to do it, I would.
1922 J. Galsworthy Forsyte Saga ii. xiii. 268 He believed that he had made the matter of the final cost so very plain that the possibility of its being again exceeded had really never entered his head.
1959 Times 16 Nov. 5/6 We are wondering if there is any possibility of it being taken over by the Government in lieu of death duties.
1989 B. Mukherjee Jasmine (1990) xxii. 160 It spoke to me of possibility, that one could live like this and not be struck down.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > reality or real existence or actuality > potentiality > [adjective]
potentiala1398
in possibility1587
the world > existence and causation > existence > reality or real existence or actuality > potentiality > [adverb]
in powerc1325
potentiallyc1450
dispositively1475
in posse1592
habitually1597
in potentia1600
in possibility1711
facultatively1887
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. iv. 51 As for God, he is not a thing in possibilitie (which is an vnperfect beeing) but altogether actuallie and in very deede.
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) 109 They are only in possibility, and not in act.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 191. ¶9 We are apt to rely upon future Prospects, and become really expensive while..only rich in Possibility.
1856 J. P. Collier Coleridge's Seven Lect. on Shakespeare & Milton 36 He had only to imitate certain parts of his own character, or to exaggerate such as existed in possibility, and they were at once true to nature.
ΚΠ
c1350 Rolls of Parl. II. 401/2 Dount possibilite de issue entre eux est esteinte, Maud ad fait wast, exil, vente e destruction.
1528–30 tr. T. Littleton Tenures (new ed.) f. iii He..is tenant in the tayle after possibilyte of issue extincte.]
a1626 F. Bacon Elements Common Lawes (1630) 87 If tenant after possibility make a lease for yeares, and the donor confirmes to the lessee to hold without impeachment of waste.
d. The quality or property of representing or relating to something that is possible.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > possibility > [noun] > quality of
possibility1638
perhapsa1643
1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 63 In the phantasies of Painters, nothing is so commendable as that there is both possibilitie and truth in them.
1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey I. ii. xvii. 256 To consult on the possibility of certain views,..and the expediency of their adoption.
1890 J. Rayner Chess Probl. 5 The chief requisites of a problem are possibility and soundness... A possible position can be reached by a legal series of moves as in a game.
1972 Times 6 Apr. 5/4 Those responsible for French policy both now and in the future will find..both possibility and obligation to defend a set of regulations which represent our agriculture's hope and future.
2002 Slate Mag. (Nexis) 10 Dec. The real McCarthy never had the schoolmarmish passion for fact, the rigid belief in the possibility of truth, that Ephron attributes to her.
3.
a. A possible thing or circumstance; something that may exist or happen. Usually with a, or in plural.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > possibility > [noun] > a possible thing or circumstance
possibilityc1460
perhapsa1535
potential1587
potentiality1587
maybe1598
contingencya1626
contingent1655
conceivable1659
possiblea1674
conceptiblea1676
cogitable1678
chance1778
it's an idea1841
may1849
might1850
thought1857
possibly1881
shot1923
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn 3545 (MED) I can nat wete howe To stop all the ffresh watir wer possibilite.
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus iii. i. 213 Oh Brother speake with possibilitie, And doe not breake into these deepe extreames.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 100 Our Examiner can give you a view of it in the Region of Possibilities.
1712 E. Budgell Spectator No. 539. ¶2 There is a Possibility this Delay may be as painful to her as it is to me.
1790 W. Paley Horæ Paulinæ Rom. i. 10 This is spoken of rather as a possibility, than as any settled intention.
1866 A. Trollope Belton Estate I. v. 107 Her clearer intellect saw possibilities which did not occur to him.
1883 H. Drummond Nat. Law in Spiritual World (1884) iii. 100 Three possibilities of life..are open to all living organisms—Balance, Evolution, and Degeneration.
1967 M. L. King Trumpet of Conscience iii. 53 Society at large may be more ready now..to listen to the argument for peace, not as a dream, but as a practical possibility.
2002 Nature 11 July 137/1 Ongoing geological activity on Pluto is a distinct possibility.
b. One person, thing, or course of action among several from which it is possible to choose; an available option or viable alternative.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > [noun] > ability to be chosen > that which or one who may be chosen
option1549
alternative1712
eligibilities1790
choice1806
possibility1902
otherwise1982
1902 Atlanta (Georgia) Constit. 26 June 6/6 Several men of prominence have been mentioned as gubernatorial possibilities.
1945 G. Nelson & H. N. Wright Tomorrow's House xvii. 203/1 To the homeowner who is intrigued by..tomorrow's house, several possibilities are open besides..selling the roof over his head.
1970 E. Kübler-Ross On Death & Dying (1973) viii. 134 Killing myself is out because I'm too yellow to kill myself. That eliminates one possibility that I don't have to think about.
1985 D. Holloway Which? Bk. Plumbing & Central Heating viii. 98/1 One possibility..is to install a shredder unit which breaks down the waste so that it can flow along an ordinary 38mm waste pipe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > [noun] > particular qualities > real
possibility1673
scalar1846
real1853
1673 J. Collins Let. 27 Mar. in S. P. Rigaud & S. J. Rigaud Corr. Sci. Men 17th Cent. (1841) (modernized text) II. 555 About the constitution of incomplete equations, it is easy to observe that many of the roots lose their possibility.
a1739 N. Saunderson Elements Algebra (1740) I. iii. 184 The possibility or impossibility of the two roots of a quadratic equation depends upon the quantity s s being affirmative or negative.
5. In plural. Unspecified qualities of a promising nature; favourable prospects; potential.
ΚΠ
1809 J. Austen Let. 24 Jan. (1995) 170 I will make the Garret as comfortable as I can, but the possibilities of that apartment are not great.
1841 R. W. Emerson Ess. 1st Ser. (Boston ed.) ix. 244 Before the immense possibilities of man, all mere experience, all past biography, however spotless and sainted, shrinks away.
1907 G. B. Shaw John Bull's Other Island i. 19 Never despair, Larry. There are great possibilities for Ireland. Home Rule will work wonders under English guidance.
1942 W. Faulkner Go down, Moses & Other Stories 186 But you cant be alive forever, and you always wear out life long before you have exhausted the possibilities of living.
1995 .net Feb. 55/1 Men..tend to surf on the Internet for the beauty of it, to explore its limitless possibilities.
Compounds
possibility theorem n. = impossibility theorem n. at impossibility n. Compounds.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > [noun] > theories
possibility theorem1950
1950 K. J. Arrow in Jrnl. Polit. Econ. 58 342 The Possibility Theorem shows that, if no prior assumptions are made about the nature of individual orderings, there is no method of voting which will remove the paradox of voting discussed in Part I, neither plurality voting nor any scheme of proportional representation, no matter how complicated.
1964 C. E. Ferguson Macroecon. Theory of Workable Competition i. 10 (heading) The possibility theorem and rigorous proof of the competitive optimum.
1997 Daily Tel. 30 Apr. 18/6 The result, which helped earn Arrow the Nobel prize in economics in 1972, is known as the Arrow Impossibility Theorem by the pessimists, and the Arrow Possibility Theorem by the optimists.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2006; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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