All 9 Uses
enable
in
Native Son
(Auto-generated)
- He held his hand over her mouth and his head was cocked at an angle that enabled him to see Mary and Mrs. Dalton by merely shifting his eyes.†
Book 1 *enabled = made possible
- Some strength he did not know he possessed had enabled him to run away, to stand here and talk with her" but now he felt that he would not have strength enough to run even if the police should suddenly burst into the room.†
Book 2
- He had an almost mystic feeling that if he were ever cornered something in him would prompt him to act the right way, the right way being the way that would enable him to die without shame.†
Book 2enable = make possible
- Having been thrown by an accidental murder into a position where he had sensed a possible order and meaning in his relations with the people about him" having accepted the moral guilt and responsibility for that murder because it had made him feel free for the first time in his life" having felt in his heart some obscure need to be at home with people and having demanded ransom money to enable him to do it"having done all this and failed, he chose not to struggle any more.†
Book 3
- "It will enable the jury to determine the exact manner of the death of Mary Dalton, who was slain by the man who slew Bessie Mears!" the coroner said in a scream that was compounded of rage and vindictiveness.†
Book 3
- But he doubted if Max could make him see things in a way that would enable him to go to his death.†
Book 3
- The unremitting hate of men has given us a psychological distance that will enable us to see this tiny social symbol in relation to our whole sick social organism.†
Book 3
- But I am really merciful and sympathetic, because the enforcement of this law in its most drastic form will enable millions of honest men and women to sleep in peace tonight, to know that tomorrow will not bring the black shadow of death over their homes and lives!†
Book 3
- The fact that the job would have enabled his brother to return to school was not enticing to Bigger Thomas.†
Book 3enabled = made possible
Definitions:
-
(1)
(enable) to make possiblein various senses, including:
- to give someone the ability, knowledge, or authority to do something -- as in "The study will enable an informed discussion."
- to activate a computer system for use -- as in "You can enable the feature in the Settings Page."
- to permit someone to repeat bad behavior, so they reinforce the bad pattern -- as in "I don't want to enable her drug addiction."
- (2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)