capax

Capax is a Latin adjective meaning capable or able. It is used to describe something that can hold, contain, perform, or endure a given action or capacity. In classical texts, capax serves as a general term for suitability or potential rather than a specific physical measurement.

Etymology and form are linked to the Latin verb capere, meaning to take or seize, with the -ax suffix contributing the sense of capability. In Latin usage, capax appears in contexts that emphasize potential or suitability, rather than a completed action. The word functions as an ordinary adjective and participates in the language’s typical agreement with noun phrases, though it is most often encountered in more formal or literary registers.

Usage and examples are common in theological and philosophical writing, where capax is used to express the idea that a person or thing has the capacity to receive or bear something. A well-known formulation in historical Christian thought is capax Dei, used to discuss the human capacity for the divine. Beyond theology, capax can appear in inscriptions, scholastic glossaries, and Latin summaries to indicate feasibility or suitability.

In modern reference works, capax is primarily encountered in historical, linguistic, or academic contexts rather than as a living term in contemporary speech. Dictionaries and grammars of Latin, such as the standard Latin lexicons, provide the entry and usage notes for capax. See also related terms like capacity and capable in English, which trace their conceptual lineage to this Latin root.