Capacities

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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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