Capacity /(kȧpăs"ĭty̆)/

Ca·pac·i·ty

Capacity

pl. Capacities ((-tĭz))

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.
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.
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.
Outward condition or circumstances; occupation; profession; character; position; as, to work in the capacity of a mason or a carpenter.
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. (Law)

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.