Possibility

Possibility

Possibility is the condition or fact of being possible. The Latin origins of the word hint at ability. Possibility also refers to something that "could happen", that is not precluded by the facts, but usually not probable. Impossible denotes that something is not able to be done.

*Subjunctive possibility
**Logical possibility
*Possibility theory

ee also

*Possible worlds
**Best of all possible worlds


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  • possibility — I noun achievability, anticipation, attainability, availability, chance, conceivability, conceivableness, expectance, expectancy, expectation, facultas, favorable opportunity, favorable prospect, feasibility, gamble, hope, likelihood, opportunity …   Law dictionary

  • Possibility — Pos si*bil i*ty, n.; pl. {Possibilities}. [F. possibilit[ e], L. possibilitas.] 1. The quality or state of being possible; the power of happening, being, or existing. All possibility of error. Hooker. Latent possibilities of excellence. Johnson.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • possibility — late 14c., “condition of being possible,” from O.Fr. possibilité (13c.), from L. possibilitas, from possibilis (see POSSIBLE (Cf. possible)). Meaning “a possible thing or substance” is from c.1400. Related: Possibilities …   Etymology dictionary

  • possibility — [n] feasibility, likelihood; chance achievability, action, attainableness, break, circumstance, contingency, fair shake*, fifty fifty*, fling*, fluke*, fortuity, happening, hazard, hope, incident, instance, liability, likeliness, occasion,… …   New thesaurus

  • possibility — ► NOUN (pl. possibilities) 1) a thing that is possible. 2) the state or fact of being possible. 3) (possibilities) unspecified qualities of a promising nature …   English terms dictionary

  • possibility — [päs΄ə bil′ə tē] n. [ME possibilite < LL possibilitas] 1. the quality or condition of being possible 2. pl. possibilities something that is possible …   English World dictionary

  • possibility */*/*/ — UK [ˌpɒsəˈbɪlətɪ] / US [ˌpɑsəˈbɪlətɪ] noun Word forms possibility : singular possibility plural possibilities Get it right: possibility: The noun possibility is never followed by an infinitive. Use the pattern the/a possibility of doing something …   English dictionary

  • possibility — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ exciting, interesting, intriguing ▪ endless, many ▪ The resort offers endless possibilities for entertainment. ▪ only …   Collocations dictionary

  • possibility — n. 1) to raise a possibility 2) to exclude, rule out a possibility 3) a good, strong; remote, slim possibility 4) a possibility of (there is a strong possibility of snow) 5) a possibility that + clause (there s a strong possibility that the… …   Combinatory dictionary

  • possibility — pos|si|bil|i|ty W2S2 [ˌpɔsıˈbılıti US ˌpa: ] n plural possibilities 1.) [U and C] if there is a possibility that something is true or that something will happen, it might be true or it might happen ▪ There s always a possibility that he might go… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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