ha·bil·i·tate \həˈbiləˌtāt, usu -ād.+V\verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Late Latin habilitatus, past participle of habilitare, from Latin habilitas aptness, ability — more at ability transitive verb 1.archaic: qualify, entitle 2.: to fit out (as a mine) : equip for working 3.: clothe, dress intransitive verb : to qualify oneself (as for teaching in a university) < had just habilitated as a privatdocent in the theological faculty — Jack Finegan >