capacity

Where does the word "capacity" come from? It comes from Latin capere, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

Capacity’s story begins in Latin: capere meant “to take, to hold.” The root of 'capture', 'captive' and 'capable'. Within Latin, it grew into capacitas by ancient. The ability to hold much, from capax (able to hold). It reached English by 1400s as capacity. Settled as the English word for the maximum amount something can contain or produce. Today, capacity means the maximum amount that something can contain, hold, or produce.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient capere "to take, to hold", the root of 'capture', 'captive' and 'capable'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient capacitas "the ability to hold much", the ability to hold much, from capax (able to hold).
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s capacity "the maximum amount something can contain or produce", settled as the English word for the maximum amount something can contain or produce.