2. Able or qualified to make large views of things, as in obtaining knowledge or forming designs; comprehensive; liberal.
"A capacious mind." Watts.
Capaciously
(Ca*pa"cious*ly), adv. In a capacious manner or degree; comprehensively.
Capaciousness
(Ca*pa"cious*ness), n. The quality of being capacious, as of a vessel, a reservoir a
bay, the mind, etc.
Capacitate
(Ca*pac"i*tate) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Capacitated; p. pr. & vb. n. Capacitating.] To render
capable; to enable; to qualify.
By this instruction we may be capaciated to observe those errors.
Dryden.
Capacity
(Ca*pac"i*ty) n.; pl. Capacities [L. capacitus, fr. capax, capacis; fr. F. capacité. See Capacious.]
1. The power of receiving or containing; extent of room or space; passive power; — used in reference to
physical things.
Had our great palace the capacity
To camp this host, we all would sup together.
Shak.
The capacity of the exhausted cylinder.
Boyle.
2. The power of receiving and holding ideas, knowledge, etc.; the comprehensiveness of the mind; the
receptive faculty; capability of understanding 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, favors this; although it can not be denied that there
are examples of its usage in an active sense.
Sir W. Hamilton.
3. 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.
4. Outward condition or circumstances; occupation; profession; character; position; as, to work in the capacity
of a mason or a carpenter.
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.
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.
