Main Entry: ¹ca·pac·i·ty

Pronunciation: \kə-ˈpa-sə-tē, -ˈpas-tē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural ca·pac·i·ties

Etymology: Middle English capacite, from Middle French capacité, from Latin capacitat-, capacitas, from capac-, capax

Date: 15th century

1 : legal competency or fitness <capacity to stand trial>
2 a : the potential or suitability for holding, storing, or accommodating <a large seating capacity> b : the maximum amount or number that can be contained or accommodated <a jug with a one-gallon capacity> <the auditorium was filled to capacity> — see metric system table, weight table
3 a : an individual's mental or physical ability : aptitude, skill b : the faculty or potential for treating, experiencing, or appreciating <capacity for love>
4 : duty, position, role <will be happy to serve in any capacity>
5 : the facility or power to produce, perform, or deploy : capability <a plan to double the factory's capacity>; also : maximum output <industries running at three-quarter capacity>
6 a : capacitance b : the quantity of electricity that a battery can deliver under specified conditions