Grossest faults, or disabilities to perform what was
covenanted. --Milton.
Chatham refused to see him, pleading his disability.
--Bancroft.
2. Want of legal qualification to do a thing; legal
incapacity or incompetency.
The disabilities of idiocy, infancy, and coverture.
--Abbott.
Syn: Weakness; inability; incompetence; impotence;
incapacity; incompetency; disqualification.
Usage: -- {Disability}, {Inability}. Inability is an inherent
want of power to perform the thing in question;
disability arises from some deprivation or loss of the
needed competency. One who becomes deranged is under a
disability of holding his estate; and one who is made
a judge, of deciding in his own case. A man may
decline an office on account of his inability to
discharge its duties; he may refuse to accept a trust
or employment on account of some disability prevents
him from entering into such engagements.