capacity

Definitions

1. 1.The power of receiving and holding ideas, knowledge, etc.; the comprehensiveness of the mind; the receptive faculty; capability of undestanding 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, favars this; although it can not be dented that there are examples of its usage in an active sense. Sir W. Hamilton.
2. 2.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.
3. 3.Outward condition or circumstances; occupation; profession; character; position; as, to work in the capacity of a mason or a carpenter.
4. 4.(Law) Legal or noral qualification, as of age, residence, character, etc., necessary for certain purposes, as for holding office, for marrying, for making contracts, will, 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, whzt is called their capacity for heat. See Specific heat, under Heat. See Ability.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "capacity" mean?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is capacity.

• What is outward condition or circumstances; occupation; profession; character; position; as, to work in the capacity of a mason or a carpenter called?