adaptabilityn.
/əˌdaptəˈbɪlᵻti/, U.S. /əˌdæptəˈbɪlᵻdi/ The quality or state of being adaptable.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > change to something else, transformation > adaptation > [noun] > capacity for
adaptability1661
adaptableness1833
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > adaptation or adjustment > [noun] > capability of
adaptability1661
flexibility1783
elasticity1801
adaptiveness1815
adaptableness1833
adaptivity1840
adjustability1849
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > [noun] > ability to be useful in several ways
flexibility1783
versatility1802
adaptableness1833
adaptability1845
polychresty1889
1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια, sive Panzoologicomineralogia 315 The manner of using, adaptability of the matter, and nature of the patient.
1796 W. Taylor in Monthly Rev. 19 513 Adaptability to define and discriminate contiguous shades of idea.
1845 R. B. Todd & W. Bowman Physiol. Anat. I. 149 One of the most wonderful circumstances in the construction of the hand, is its adaptability to an infinite number of offices.
1874 E. P. Wright tr. E. Haeckel in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. 14 145 Ontogenesis is a brief recapitulation of phylogenesis, mechanically dependent on the functions of inheritance and adaptability.
1901 Westm. Gaz. 19 June 4/3 The adaptability of the turbine-driven steamship for passenger traffic was tested on the Clyde yesterday.
1952 P. Mann Systematics Flowering Plants ii. 94 The adaptability..of most of the genera again makes classification difficult.
1971 Illustr. Weekly India 25 Apr. 4/2 The Tamilian is well known for his remarkable adaptability to his surroundings.
2006 C. Stringer Homo Britannicus p. x Our species Homo sapiens is known for its resourcefulness and adaptability.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1661