capacity

capacité, contenance

Quantité maximale qu’un récipient ou un lieu peut contenir.

En anglais simple : The largest amount that a container or place can hold.

• The tank has a capacity of fifty litres.
• The stadium was filled to capacity.
• What is the storage capacity of this device?

Comment l'utiliser : capacity of something (The capacity of the hall is two hundred people.); at capacity (The shelter is already at capacity.)

Synonymes : volume

Expressions courantes : seating capacity, full capacity, capacity of something

capacité, aptitude

Possibilité pour une personne ou une chose de faire ou de ressentir quelque chose.

En anglais simple : The ability of a person or thing to do or experience something.

• Children have a great capacity to learn.
• I admire her capacity for kindness.
• The injury reduced his capacity to work.

Comment l'utiliser : capacity to do something (She has the capacity to lead the team.); capacity for something (He showed a remarkable capacity for hard work.)

Synonymes : ability, capability

Contraires : inability

Expressions courantes : capacity to learn, capacity for something, mental capacity, capacity to perform

capacité de production

Quantité qu’une entreprise ou une machine peut produire, ou charge de travail qu’elle peut traiter.

En anglais simple : The amount a business or machine can produce or the work it can handle.

• The factory needs more capacity.
• New machines doubled our production capacity.
• The plant is operating at full capacity.

Comment l'utiliser : at full capacity (The factory ran at full capacity during the holiday season.)

Synonymes : production capability

Expressions courantes : production capacity, spare capacity, increase capacity

qualité, fonction

Rôle ou qualité dans lesquels une personne agit.

En anglais simple : The role or position in which someone acts.

• She attended in her capacity as director.
• I am speaking in a personal capacity.
• He has served the organization in several capacities.

Comment l'utiliser : in someone’s capacity as someone (He signed the letter in his capacity as chairman.); in a particular capacity (She advised us in a professional capacity.)

Synonymes : role, position

Expressions courantes : in my capacity, official capacity, capacity as someone

pouvoir légal, habilitation

Pouvoir accordé par la loi pour accomplir une action précise.

En anglais simple : The power given by law to take a particular action.

• The officer has the legal capacity to make an arrest.
• The court questioned his capacity to act on her behalf.
• This official lacks the capacity to issue such an order.

Comment l'utiliser : capacity to do something (The law grants these officers the capacity to detain suspects.)

Synonymes : authority, legal power

Expressions courantes : legal capacity, capacity to arrest, capacity to act