large-capacity
UK[ˌlɑːdʒ kəˈpæsɪti]US[ˌlɑːrdʒ kəˈpæsəti]
adj
Having the ability to hold or contain a large amount.
Morpheme Breakdown
large
capacity
large
big
capacity
ability to hold
Etymology
The compound adjective 'large-capacity' is a modern English formation that transparently combines two words of Latin origin to specify a quantitative attribute. The first element, 'large', evolved from the Latin 'largus', which originally connoted abundance and bounty, shifting in English to primarily describe great size or extent. The second element, 'capacity', derives from the Latin 'capacitas', rooted in the verb 'capere' (to take, seize, hold), which fundamentally relates to containment and volume. When fused, the term's logic is direct: it describes a system, device, or space whose inherent ability to hold or contain ('capacity') is characterized as being of great size or extent ('large').
Analysis
Structure: large (big) + capacity (ability to hold)
- large: From Old French 'large' (broad, wide, generous), from Latin 'largus' (abundant, copious, bountiful). Functions as an adjective modifying the noun 'capacity'.
- capacity: From Latin 'capacitas' (breadth, roominess, ability to hold), from 'capax' (able to hold much), from 'capere' (to take, hold). Functions as the core noun element, denoting the specific ability being described.
Examples
The company invested in large-capacity servers to handle the increased data traffic.
This model is a large-capacity washing machine, suitable for big families.
The new battery features large-capacity storage, extending the device's usage time significantly.