Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - capacity

n. (pl. -ies) 1 a the power of containing, receiving, experiencing, or producing (capacity for heat, pain , etc.). b the maximum amount that can be contained or produced etc. c the volume, e.g. of the cylinders in an internal-combustion engine. d (attrib.) fully occupying the available space, resources, etc. (a capacity audience). 2 a mental power. b a faculty or talent. 3 a position or function (in a civil capacity; in my capacity as a critic). 4 legal competence. 5 Electr. capacitance. Phrases and idioms measure of capacity a measure used for vessels and liquids or grains etc. to capacity fully; using all resources (working to capacity). Derivatives capacitative adj. (also capacitive) (in sense 5). Etymology: ME f. F f. L capacitas -tatis (as CAPACIOUS)