Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Not physically disabled; strong and healthy.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Having a sound, strong body; having strength sufficient for physical work: as, a dozen able-bodied men; an able-bodied sailor. In a ship's papers abbreviated to A. B.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Having a sound, strong body; physically competent; robust.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Having a sound, strong body; physically competent; robust; fit for service.
  • adjective nautical Capable of performing all requisite duties, as a seaman, specifically in the Royal Navy a rating between leading and ordinary.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective having a strong healthy body

Etymologies

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Examples

  • If he hadn’t joined up, he could have been drafted anyway In April 1862 the conscription laws came into effect, allowing Confederate marshals to round up able-bodied men from eighteen to forty-five and their definition of able-bodied was fairly elastic, handcuff them, and march them off to fight.

    Dream State Diane Roberts 2008

  • Even men of good will were blinded by the fantasy of “sturdy beggars,” that is, the able-bodied poor, men unwilling to earn an honest living.

    A History of American Law Lawrence M. Friedman 1985

  • Even men of good will were blinded by the fantasy of “sturdy beggars,” that is, the able-bodied poor, men unwilling to earn an honest living.

    A History of American Law Lawrence M. Friedman 1985

  • Unlike in many other wars, when majorities of able-bodied men readily volunteered to fight for a cause, and despite loud and sustained calls by government officials for American men to enlist in the military, most Americans during World War II were less than eager to make the ultimate sacrifice of citizenship when called upon to do so.

    A Renegade History of the United States Thaddeus Russell 2010

  • Welfare reform in Wisconsin which required all able-bodied individuals to work for their benefits reduced welfare rolls by 90%.

    Health Care and Moral Values, Arnold Kling | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty 2009

  • Rental support for the able-bodied should expire after five years, the fuse most states have adopted for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.

    Section 8 Helps Many, Though Program Has Problems 2011

  • His eye captures vulnerable moments of both the old and the young, the able-bodied and the handicapped, people hard at work, those busy with play, and those who, untethered, exist somewhere in between.

    Emily Farache: Candid Moments Captured on Film: Street Photographer Damon Pablo Emily Farache 2011

  • The South African ran in the semifinals of his best event against able-bodied athletes Monday at Daegu Stadium, but he finished dead last in 46.19 seconds — .80 slower than his qualifying time a day earlier.

    Amputee Sprinter Stalls During 400 Semifinals 2011

  • His eye captures vulnerable moments of both the old and the young, the able-bodied and the handicapped, people hard at work, those busy with play, and those who, untethered, exist somewhere in between.

    Emily Farache: Candid Moments Captured on Film: Street Photographer Damon Pablo Emily Farache 2011

  • During that time, almost every able-bodied male served.

    Gary Shapiro: Can We Preserve the American Dream Without Sacrifice? Gary Shapiro 2011

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