*disability*

n.; pl. Disabilities 1. State of being disabled; deprivation or want of ability; absence of competent physical, intellectual, or moral power, means, fitness, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

Grossest faults, or disabilities to perform what was covenanted. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Chatham refused to see him, pleading his disability. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Want of legal qualification to do a thing; legal incapacity or incompetency. [ 1913 Webster ]

The disabilities of idiocy, infancy, and coverture. Abbott.

Syn. -- Weakness; inability; incompetence; impotence; incapacity; incompetency; disqualification. -- 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. [ 1913 Webster ]