CAPACITY • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Capacity

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/kəpˈæsəti/ /kəpˈæsɪti/ Listen

noun

Capacity n. (pl. capacities)

1.

The power of receiving or containing; extent of room or space; passive power; used in reference to physical things. "Had our great palace the capacity To camp this host, we all would sup together." "The capacity of the exhausted cylinder."

2.

The power of receiving and holding ideas, knowledge, etc.; the comprehensiveness of the mind; the receptive faculty; capability of understanding or feeling. "Capacity is now properly limited to these (the mere passive operations of the mind); its primary signification, which is literally room for, as well as its employment, favors this; although it can not be denied that there are examples of its usage in an active sense."

3.

Ability; power pertaining to, or resulting from, the possession of strength, wealth, or talent; possibility of being or of doing. "The capacity of blessing the people." "A cause with such capacities endued."

4.

Outward condition or circumstances; occupation; profession; character; position; as, to work in the capacity of a mason or a carpenter.

5.

(Law) Legal or moral qualification, as of age, residence, character, etc., necessary for certain purposes, as for holding office, for marrying, for making contracts, wills, etc.; legal power or right; competency.

Capacity for heat, the power of absorbing heat. Substances differ in the amount of heat requisite to raise them a given number of thermometric degrees, and this difference is the measure of, or depends upon, what is called their capacity for heat. See Specific heat, under Heat.

Synonyms: Ability; faculty; talent; capability; skill; efficiency; cleverness. See Ability.

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Etymology of 'Capacity'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Capacity" Quotes from Famous Books

... Chapel, was a man of far greater mental capacity and culture. His sermons were clear, logical, conclusive, and earnest. It is not generally known that he was a voluminous writer. He was a frequent contributor to some of the best periodicals of his time. He wrote and published, under the titles, first of "The Evangelical Rambler," and afterwards ...

— Personal Recollections of Birmingham and Birmingham Men • E. Edwards

... at all, who lived before the invention of the mariner's compass, and when half our globe was as yet unknown. The same observations are applicable when we would estimate the moral excellence of an individual, his worth in a private or a public capacity, his character as a subject or a governor,—as the framer, or the guardian, or the administrator of the laws. Many a practice in ordinary social intercourse, which would not be tolerated, and would ...

— Henry of Monmouth, Volume 2 - Memoirs of Henry the Fifth • J. Endell Tyler

... of Casgar, and all who were witnesses of this operation, were less surprised to see humpback revive, after he had passed a whole night, and great part of a day, without giving any sign of life, than at the merit and capacity of the barber, who performed this; and notwithstanding all his faults, began to look upon him as a great physician. The sultan, transported with joy and admiration, ordered the story of humpback to be written down, with that of the barber, that the memory ...

— The Arabian Nights Entertainments Complete • Anonymous

... Maude took over command and his wonderful capacity for administration was soon manifested. Also more boats were arriving for river transport, more supplies, both Medical and Military, were being sent out. Control of the campaign was taken over by the War Office. Canteens were established at different points, ...

— With a Highland Regiment in Mesopotamia - 1916--1917 • Anonymous

... exclusively the Jewish population.* It now possesses a very ably-conducted weekly organ, and of all sections of the Social-Democratic group it is unquestionably the best organised. This is not surprising, because the Jews have more business capacity than the Russians, and centuries of oppression have developed in the race a wonderful talent for secret illegal activity, and for eluding the vigilance of ...

— Russia • Donald Mackenzie Wallace

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