capacity
capacity
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "capacity" is:
kəˈpæsɪti
Here's the breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
kə
k: Voiceless velar stop
ə: Schwa
pæs
p: Voiceless bilabial stop
æ: Open front unrounded vowel
s: Voiceless alveolar sibilant fricative
ɪti
ɪ: Near-close front unrounded vowel
t: Voiceless alveolar stop
i: Close front unrounded vowel
Word Form Variations
The word "capacity" is already in its singular form. It doesn't have a plural form.
However, it can be used in different contexts to express different meanings:
Capacity as a noun:
The ability to hold or contain something.
Example: "The tank has a capacity of 100 gallons."
The ability to do something.
Example: "She has the capacity for leadership."
Capacity as an adjective:
Having the ability or qualification to do something.
Example: "He is a capacity judge."
Capacity as a verb:
To give someone the ability to do something.
Example: "The new software will capacity the system."
In these different contexts, the meaning and usage of the word can vary.
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun
Definition: The ability to hold, receive, or absorb something.
Synonyms: Ability, capability, potential, volume, space, room
Antonyms: Incapacity, inability, impotence
Definition: The ability to do something, especially a mental or intellectual task.
Synonyms: Talent, aptitude, skill, gift, knack
Antonyms: Incompetence, ineptitude
Adjective
Definition: Having the ability or qualification to do something.
Synonyms: Qualified, competent, able, fit, suitable
Antonyms: Incapable, incompetent, unqualified
Verb
Definition: To give someone the ability to do something.
Synonyms: Enable, empower, authorize, qualify
Antonyms: Disable, incapacitate, disqualify
Examples of Use
Books
"The tank's capacity was insufficient to hold the entire flood." (From a historical fiction novel)
"She had a remarkable capacity for empathy." (From a psychological thriller)
Newspapers
"The stadium's capacity was exceeded during the concert." (From a local newspaper)
"The government has increased its capacity to respond to natural disasters." (From a national newspaper)
Online Publications
"The article discusses the brain's capacity for learning new languages." (From a scientific blog)
"The company is expanding its production capacity to meet growing demand." (From a business website)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
"The character's capacity for love is tested throughout the series." (From a TV show script)
"The game's capacity for multiplayer is limited to eight players." (From a gaming forum)
General Public Discourse
"I'm not sure my car has the capacity to carry all this luggage." (From a casual conversation)
"The school is operating at full capacity due to increased enrollment." (From a news report)
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Capacity
"Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man's inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary." — Reinhold Niebuhr
"The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice." — Brian Herbert
"The measure of intelligence is the ability to change." — Albert Einstein (implied: the capacity to adapt)
"The human capacity for burden is like bamboo—far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance." — Jodi Picoult
"It is our capacity to be present that bestows true power." — Anonymous
"The capacity to care is what gives life its deepest significance." — Pablo Casals
"One’s capacity for greatness lies in the ability to master oneself." — Anonymous
"The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention." — Julia Cameron
"The capacity to love is the only thing which makes us truly human." — Anonymous
"Genius is the capacity for taking infinite pains." — Thomas Carlyle
Etymology
Capacity comes from the Latin word "capacitas," which means "room, space, or ability." It's made up of two parts:
"Capere": This means "to take or hold."
"-itas": This suffix often indicates a quality or state.
So, essentially, "capacity" means the quality of being able to hold or contain something.
The first known use of "capacity" in English was in the late 14th century. Back then, it was used primarily to refer to the physical ability of something to hold or contain other things. For example, a barrel's capacity might be measured in gallons.
Over time, the meaning of "capacity" expanded to include the ability of a person to do something, like their mental or intellectual abilities.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Capacity
Common Phrases
At full capacity: Operating at maximum capacity.
Beyond one's capacity: Unable to handle or cope with something.
To the best of one's capacity: To do something as well as possible.
Less Common Phrases and Idioms
To stretch one's capacity: To do something to the utmost of one's ability.
To work at full capacity: To be very busy or productive.
To have a low capacity for pain: To be able to endure pain without discomfort.
To exceed one's capacity: To go beyond one's limits or abilities.
To be of limited capacity: To have a small or restricted ability.
Note: While "capacity" is a versatile word, there aren't as many common idioms or phrases directly involving it as there are with other words. This is likely due to its abstract nature and the fact that it's often used in a more technical or formal context. However, the phrases and idioms provided above offer a good starting point for understanding how "capacity" can be used in different contexts.
Posts Related to Capacity
Source Information
Definition of capacity from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
