CAPACITY • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • 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.

See images of 'Capacity'

Etymology of 'Capacity'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Capacity" Quotes from Famous Books

... better for him, for France, that he had not had it. And one wonders that he is not frightened, that when a fear seizes even those who did not lead to corruption, he alone with such a tranquillity finishes his Rougon-Macquart as if he had strengthened the capacity for life of the French people instead of having destroyed it. How is it possible that he cannot understand that people brought up on such corrupted bread and drinking, such bad water, not only will be unable to resist the storm, but even they will not have an inclination to do so! Musset ...

— So Runs the World • Henryk Sienkiewicz,

... do your full share in developing our little second fiddle's capacity to play first?" he asked the baby, with his face against hers. "Never mind, little one, never mind. Baby doesn't know—but John Rayburn does—that this being a means of education to other people is a thankless task sometimes. Don't cry. Aunty Charlotte will kiss her hard and fast by and ...

— The Second Violin • Grace S. Richmond

... replacement at Radio Shack's election and sole expense, except there shall be no obligation to replace or repair items which by their nature are expendable. No representations or other affirmation of fact, including but not limited to statements regarding capacity, suitability for use, or performance of the equipment, shall be or be deemed to be a warranty or representation by Radio Shack, for any purpose, nor give rise to any liability or obligation ...

— Radio Shack TRS-80 Expansion Interface: Operator's Manual - Catalog Numbers: 26-1140, 26-1141, 26-1142 • Anonymous

... that the system does not strike at the root of the trouble, and I venture to repeat that. The root is not the drinking, but the desire to drink. These are very different things. The one merely requires will—and a great deal of it, both as to bulk and staying capacity—the other merely requires watchfulness—and for no long time. The desire of course precedes the act, and should have one's first attention; it can do but little good to refuse the act over and over again, always ...

— Innocents abroad • Mark Twain

... of freshness which comes, even to London in August, during the first hours of the morning; and the heat in the low-ceilinged room on the third floor which Juliet occupied for the sake of economy, was oppressive in spite of the small sash windows being opened to their utmost capacity. But Juliet only laughed to herself with pleasure at the brilliancy of the day. She felt that the weather was playing up to the occasion, as became this important morning of her life. For that it was important she did not doubt. She was going to hear tremendous news ...

— The Ashiel mystery - A Detective Story • Mrs. Charles Bryce

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