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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

disability \dis`a*bil"i*ty\, 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.
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Chatham refused to see him, pleading his disability.
--Bancroft.
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2. Want of legal qualification to do a thing; legal
incapacity or incompetency.
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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.
[1913 Webster]