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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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