Middle English Dictionary Entry
capacitẹ̄ n.
Entry Info
| Forms | capacitẹ̄ n. Also capasite. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Ability to contain, size, capaciousness; the size or extent of an open wound; (b) ability, power; capacity (for learning, feeling, understanding, etc.) [cp. compaciten.].
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)52b/a : Wondez forsoþ ar vtterly or alwaise sauable or heleable which beþ..not of grete capasite [*Ch.(2): takynge; L capacitatis] ne of profoundenez.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)83b/b : After..þe malice in corroding þe capacite is augmented without escar, it [vlcere] is said corrosyue.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)2/37 : Þe nouȝnesse toward persoones is to be mesurid..aftir her capacite..euen as it is of a potel poot and of a galon pott.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.201 : The chiefe cite..is callede Capua, namede so of the capacite of sufficiaunce [Trev.: ablenesse to fonge and to take; L capacitate sufficientiæ].
b
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)33/22 : I now, after þe litylnes of my capacite [L capacitatis], þo thre..has takyn.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)22 : Myche mater which schal be tauȝt in þese seid bookis schal passe þe capacite and þe receyuablenes of ful manye persoonys in þe layfe.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)99 : How euer manye lay men schulen haue capacite to vndirstonde þis here before sette trouþis, þei schulen haue joie.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)7 : Thouȝ the mater be such that it passith not the boondis neither the capacite of resoun forto entermete therwith and forto iuge and ȝeue kunnyng ther upon.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)49 : And for his grete capacitee [F capacite], the good souereyn j haue put with inne.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)3/1 : Þe capacite and þe receyuabilnesse is not lijk greet in ech man.
- (c1456) Pecock Faith (Trin-C B.14.45)288 : Y consent in myn undirstonding to a treuthe, beyng above oure capacite to knowe.
- c1460 Vndir a park (Hrl 2255)66 : Hire Oryent heer lay ovir the nekke To counforte vs in our Capacite.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)6.383 : The kynge perceyvynge the capacite of his witte, put hym to the scole.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)6065 : For an herte that ys smal, I ha the bred mad smal also..And for hys gret capacyte, The good that hath most sovereynte I haue ther-in put.
- 1558(a1449) Lydg.Image OL (Add 29729)13 : Yf he have capacite Pardon to receyve, contrite with confession.
2.
Legal right, official permission; also, a document granting such right or permission.
Associated quotations
- (1428) Grocer Lond.(Kingdon)180/3 : In oure tyme was purchased..þe patent for þe capasyte of oure plase in cony hope lane.
- (1430) Doc.Merchant York in Sur.Soc.12934 : My lord the chancellor..ryghte gode and graciouse lordshipp..hath shewed to you and to me..in the diligent pursuite fore our foundacion and capacite of our craft amonges the lordes of the conseil.
- (1438) Proc.Privy C.5.85 : It was laboured unto oure holy fadre þe Pope for þe same John, þat he myȝt have a capacite for to have and rejoice benefices of holy chirch.
- (?c1460) RParl.5.390b : That the same Master and Wardeyns, and the successours, shuld be perpetuall and have capacite.
- (c1472) Let.Coldingham in Sur.Soc.12227 : I undirstode that your Breves & the Capacite wer sped & shuld be sent home by the next Currour.
- (1474) Let.Christ Ch.in RS 85.3273 : Your pover supplyant..beyng a relygyus man and of your Covent..sued to Rome to have had a capacyte to be exempt fro the relygyon.
- (c1474) Let.Christ Ch.in Camd.n.s.1930 : He had opteyned a capacite, and be councell, saying that he was sure of an annuell service.