susceptibility,
cleverness, energy, qualification, talent.
cogency,

_Power_ is the most general term of this group, including every quality,
property, or _faculty_ by which any change, effect, or result is, or may
be, produced; as, the _power_ of the legislature to enact laws, or of
the executive to enforce them; the _power_ of an acid to corrode a
metal; the _power_ of a polished surface to reflect light. _Ability_ is
nearly coextensive with _power_, but does not reach the positiveness and
vigor that may be included in the meaning of _power_, _ability_ often
implying latent, as distinguished from active _power_; we speak of an
exertion of _power_, but not of an exertion of _ability_. _Power_ and
_ability_ include _capacity_, which is _power_ to receive; but _ability_
is often distinguished from _capacity_, as power that may be manifested
in doing, as _capacity_ is in receiving; one may have great _capacity_
for acquiring knowledge, and yet not possess _ability_ to teach.
_Efficiency_ is active _power_ to effect a definite result, the _power_
that actually does, as distinguished from that which may do.
_Competency_ is equal to the occasion, _readiness_ prompt for the
occasion. _Faculty_ is an inherent quality of mind or body; _talent_,
some special mental _ability_. _Dexterity_ and _skill_ are readiness and
facility in action, having a special end; _talent_ is innate,
_dexterity_ and _skill_ are largely acquired. Our _abilities_ include
our natural _capacity_, _faculties_, and _talents_, with all the
_dexterity_, _skill_, and _readiness_ that can be acquired. _Efficacy_
is the power to produce an intended effect as shown in the production of
it; as, the _efficacy_ of a drug. _Efficiency_ is effectual agency,
competent _power_; _efficiency_ is applied in mechanics as denoting the
ratio of the effect produced to the _power_ expended in producing it;
but this word is chiefly used of intelligent agents as denoting the
quality that brings all one's _power_ to bear promptly and to the best
purpose on the thing to be done. Compare ADDRESS; DEXTERITY; SKILFUL.

Antonyms:

awkwardness, helplessness, inability, incompetence, stupidity,
dulness, imbecility, inaptitude, inefficiency, unskilfulness,
feebleness, impotence, incapacity, maladroitness, weakness.

* * * * *

PRAISE.

Synonyms:

acclaim, approbation, compliment, laudation,
acc