Noun

(en noun)

A collection of organized things; a whole composed of relationships among its members.

* '>citation

# (label) A set of equations involving the same , which are to be solved simultaneously.

# (medicine) The body organs that contribute to a vegetative function.

# (label) A set of staffs that indicate instruments or sounds that are to be played simultaneously.

A method or way of organizing or planning.

*

As a political system democracy seems to me extraordinarily foolish, but I would not go out of my way to protest against it. My servant is, so far as I am concerned, welcome to as many votes as he can get. I would very gladly make mine over to him if I could.

* '>citation

# (derogatory) In the system : the mainstream culture, elites, or government of a state, or a combination of them, seen as oppressive to the individual.

#*

Noun

(obsolete) Suitableness.

(uncountable) The quality or state of being able; capacity to do; capacity of doing something; having the necessary power.

*{{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-19, author=(Peter Wilby)

, volume=189, issue=6, page=30, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title=[http://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/jul/01/education-michael-gove-finland-gcse Finland spreads word on schools] , passage=Imagine a country where children do nothing but play until they start compulsory schooling at age seven. Then, without exception, they attend comprehensives until the age of 16. Charging school fees is illegal, and so is sorting pupils into ability groups by streaming or setting.}}

The legal wherewithal to act.

*{{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-22, volume=407, issue=8841, page=68, magazine=(The Economist)

, title=[http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21579860-g8-pledges-tackle-three-ts-t-time T time] , passage=The ability to shift profits to low-tax countries by locating intellectual property in them, which is then licensed to related businesses in high-tax countries, is often assumed to be the preserve of high-tech companies.}}

(archaic) Financial ability.

(uncountable) A unique power of the mind; a faculty.

* (rfdate) (Francis Bacon) (1561-1626)

Natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study -

(countable) A skill or competence in doing; mental power; talent; aptitude.

* (rfdate) (King James Bible) , (w) 11:29

Then the disciples, every man according to his ability , determined to send relief unto the brethren.

* (rfdate) (1800-1859)

The public men of England, with much of a peculiar kind of ability

* {{quote-news, year=2011, date=November 10, author=Jeremy Wilson, work=Telegraph

, title=[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/8882713/England-Under-21-5-Iceland-Under-21-0-match-report.html England Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report] , passage=The most persistent tormentor was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a hat-trick in last month’s corresponding fixture in Iceland. His ability to run at defences is instantly striking, but it is his clever use of possession that has persuaded some shrewd judges that he is an even better prospect than Theo Walcott.}}