An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The ability to receive or contain.
Electricity: → capacitance.

Etymology (EN): From M.Fr. capacité, from L. capacitatem, from capax “able to hold much,” from capere “to take, grasp.”

Etymology (PE): Gonjâyeš “capacity, holding, containing,” from gonjdan “to be contained; to hold exactly; to be filled;” Mid.Pers. winj- “to be contained;” Proto-Iranian *uiac-/*uic-; cf. Skt. vyac- “to contain, encompass,” vyás- “extent, content, extension;” L. uincire “to bind.”