Definition of "abilitie"

Sondry and reasonable be the causes why learned men haue vsed to offer and dedicate such workes as they put abrode, to some such personage as they thinke fittest, either in respect of abilitie of defense, or skill for iugement, or priuate regard of kindenesse and dutie.

1570, Margaret Ascham, Roger Ascham, The Scholemaster, foreword