capacity
|ca-pac-i-ty|
B2
/kəˈpæsəti/
ability to hold
Etymology
Etymology Information
'capacity' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'capacitas,' where 'capax' meant 'able to hold or contain.'
Historical Evolution
'capacitas' transformed into the Old French word 'capacite,' and eventually became the modern English word 'capacity' through Middle English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'the ability to hold or contain,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the maximum amount that something can contain.
The theater has a seating capacity of 500.
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Noun 2
the ability or power to do, experience, or understand something.
She has a great capacity for learning languages.
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Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35