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capacity

 - 7 dictionary results

ca⋅pac⋅i⋅ty

  [kuh-pas-i-tee] noun, plural -ties, adjective
Use capacity in a Sentence
–noun
1. the ability to receive or contain: This hotel has a large capacity.
2. the maximum amount or number that can be received or contained; cubic contents; volume: The inn is filled to capacity. The gasoline tank has a capacity of 20 gallons.
3. power of receiving impressions, knowledge, etc.; mental ability: the capacity to learn calculus.
4. actual or potential ability to perform, yield, or withstand: He has a capacity for hard work. The capacity of the oil well was 150 barrels a day. She has the capacity to go two days without sleep.
5. quality or state of being susceptible to a given treatment or action: Steel has a high capacity to withstand pressure.
6. position; function; role: He served in the capacity of legal adviser.
7. legal qualification.
8. Electricity.
a. capacitance.
b. maximum possible output.
–adjective
9. reaching maximum capacity: a capacity audience; a capacity crowd.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME capacite < MF < L capācitāt- (s. of capācitās), equiv. to capāci-, s. of capāx roomy (cap(ere) to hold + -āci- adj. suffix) + -tāt- -ty 2

Synonyms:
2. dimensions, amplitude. 3. endowment, talent, gifts. 4. aptitude, adequacy, competence, capability.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To capacity
ca·pac·i·ty   (kə-pās'ĭ-tē)   
n.   pl. ca·pac·i·ties

    1. The ability to receive, hold, or absorb.

    2. Abbr. c. A measure of this ability; volume.

    3. Ability to perform or produce; capability.

    4. The maximum or optimum amount that can be produced: factories operating below capacity.

  2. The maximum amount that can be contained: a trunk filled to capacity.

    1. Ability to perform or produce; capability.

    2. The maximum or optimum amount that can be produced: factories operating below capacity.

  4. The power to learn or retain knowledge; mental ability.

  5. Innate potential for growth, development, or accomplishment; faculty. See Synonyms at ability.

  6. The quality of being suitable for or receptive to specified treatment: the capacity of elastic to be stretched.

  7. The position in which one functions; role: in your capacity as sales manager.

  8. Legal qualification or authority: the capacity to make an arrest.

  9. Electricity Capacitance.

adj.  Filling a space with the most it can hold: a capacity crowd at the concert.

[Middle English capacite, from Old French, from Latin capācitās, from capāx, capāc-, spacious; see capacious.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

capacity 
1480, from M.Fr. capacité, from L. capacitatem, from capax "able to hold much," from capere "to take" (see capable). Meaning "largest audience a place can hold" is 1908.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: ca·pac·i·ty
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -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; especially : mental ability as it relates to responsibility for the commission of a crime (as murder) —see also DIMINISHED CAPACITY —compare COMPETENCY, INCAPACITY, INSANITY
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ca·pac·i·ty
Pronunciation: k&-'pas-&t-E, -'pas-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ties
1 a : the ability to hold, receive, store, or accommodate b : a measure of content : the measured ability to contain : VOLUME capacity of one liter> —see VITAL CAPACITY c (1) : CAPACITANCE (2) : the quantity of electricity that abattery can deliver under specified conditions
2 : legal qualification, competency, power, or fitness
3 a : power to grasp and analyze ideas and cope withproblems b : blended power, strength, and ability capacity —Morris Fishbein>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

capacity ca·pac·i·ty (kə-pās'ĭ-tē)
n.

  1. The measure of potential cubic contents of a cavity or receptacle; volume.

  2. Ability to perform or produce; capability.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Computing Dictionary

capacity communications
The maximum possible data transfer rate of a communications channel under ideal conditions. The total capacity of a channel may be shared between several independent data streams using some kind of multiplexing, in which case, each stream's data rate may be limited to a fixed fraction of the total capacity.
(2001-05-22)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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