■ noun ( plural capacities )
1》 the maximum amount that something can contain or produce.
↘[as modifier ] fully occupying the available space: a ~ crowd.
↘the total cylinder volume that is swept by the pistons in an internal-combustion engine.
2》 the ability or power to do something.
↘a person's legal competence.
3》 a specified role or position.
4》 dated electrical capacitance.
Derivatives
capacitive (also capacitative ) adjective ( chiefly Physics ).
Origin
ME: from Fr. capacité , from L. capacitas , from capax , capac- 'that can contain', from capere 'take or hold'.