A more thorough explanation:

An enabling power, also known as a power of appointment, is a legal term that refers to a power created or reserved by a person who has property subject to disposition. This power allows the donee (the person receiving the power) to designate transferees of the property or shares in which it will be received.

• General Power of Appointment: A power of appointment that allows the donee to appoint anyone, including oneself or one's own estate, as the recipient of the donor's property.
• Limited Power of Appointment: A power of appointment that either does not allow the entire estate to be conveyed or restricts to whom the estate may be conveyed. For example, the donee can appoint to only the person or class specified in the instrument creating the power, but cannot appoint to oneself or one's own estate.
• Testamentary Power of Appointment: A power of appointment created by a will.

For instance, if a person creates a trust and reserves an enabling power, they can appoint the beneficiaries of the trust. If the power is exercisable before the donee's death, it is exercisable wholly in favor of the donee. If the power is testamentary, it is exercisable wholly in favor of the donee's estate.

Overall, an enabling power is a useful tool for estate planning and allows the donor to have control over the distribution of their property after their death.