Capacity
- Capacity
- Capacity Ca*pac"i*ty (k[.a]*p[a^]s"[i^]*t[y^]), n.; pl.
{Capacities} (-t[i^]z). [L. capacitus, fr. capax, capacis;
fr. F. capacit['e]. See {Capacious}.]
1. The power of receiving or containing; extent of room or
space; passive power; -- used in reference to physical
things.
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Had our great palace the capacity
To camp this host, we all would sup together.
--Shak.
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The capacity of the exhausted cylinder. --Boyle.
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2. The power of receiving and holding ideas, knowledge, etc.;
the comprehensiveness of the mind; the receptive faculty;
capability of understanding or feeling.
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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. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
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3. Ability; power pertaining to, or resulting from, the
possession of strength, wealth, or talent; possibility of
being or of doing.
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The capacity of blessing the people. --Alex.
Hamilton.
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A cause with such capacities endued. --Blackmore.
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4. Outward condition or circumstances; occupation;
profession; character; position; as, to work in the
capacity of a mason or a carpenter.
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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.
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{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}.
Syn: Ability; faculty; talent; capability; skill; efficiency;
cleverness. See {Ability}.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
2000.
:
Look at other dictionaries:
capacity — ca·pac·i·ty n pl ties 1: a qualification, power, or ability (as to give consent or make a testament) created by operation of law 2: an individual s ability or aptitude; esp: mental ability as it relates to responsibility for the commission of a… … Law dictionary
Capacity — is the ability to hold, receive or absorb, or a measure thereof, similar to the concept of volume.Capacity may also refer to: *Capacity (economics), the point of production at which a firm or industry s average (or per unit ) costs begin to rise … Wikipedia
capacity — [kə pas′i tē] n. pl. capacities [ME & OFr capacite < L capacitas < capax: see CAPACIOUS] 1. the ability to contain, absorb, or receive and hold 2. a) the amount of space that can be filled; room for holding; content or volume [a tank with a … English World dictionary
capacity — ► NOUN (pl. capacities) 1) the maximum amount that something can contain or produce. 2) (before another noun ) fully occupying the available space: a capacity crowd. 3) the total cylinder volume that is swept by the pistons in an internal… … English terms dictionary
capacity — early 15c., from M.Fr. capacité (15c.), from L. capacitatem (nom. capacitas) breadth, capacity, from capax (gen. capacis) able to hold much, from capere to take (see CAPABLE (Cf. capable)). Meaning largest audience a place can hold is 1908. Verb… … Etymology dictionary
capacity — [n1] volume; limit of volume held accommodation, amplitude, bulk, burden, compass, contents, dimensions, expanse, extent, full, holding ability, holding power, latitude, magnitude, mass, measure, proportions, quantity, range, reach, retention,… … New thesaurus
Capacity — [engl.], Kapazität … Universal-Lexikon
capacity — *ability, capability Analogous words: amplitude, *expanse, spread: extent, magnitude, *size, volume: aptitude, *gift, faculty, talent, bent, turn, knack Antonyms: incapacity Contrasted words: powerlessness, impotence (see corresponding adjectives … New Dictionary of Synonyms
capacity — n. ability to hold 1) to capacity (filled to capacity) 2) lung; seating; storage capacity 3) a capacity of (a capacity of twenty gallons) ability 4) intellectual, mental capacity 5) one s earning capacity 6) a capacity for (a capacity for making… … Combinatory dictionary
capacity — A lending and credit analysis term that describes a borrower s or applicant s ability to meet debt service obligations. See debt service coverage. American Banker Glossary credit grantor s measurement of a person s ability to repay loans.… … Financial and business terms
