Ca*pac"i*ty (?), n.;
pl. Capacities (-t&ibreve;z). [L. capacitus, fr.
capax, capacis; fr. F.
capacité. See Capacious.]
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.
Shak.
The capacity of the exhausted cylinder.
Boyle.
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.
Sir W. Hamilton.
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.
Alex. Hamilton.
A cause with such capacities
endued.
Blackmore.
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.
Syn.
-- Ability; faculty; talent; capability; skill; efficiency; cleverness. See Ability.
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