1. trans. To endow with capacity for or to do (something); to render capable; to qualify, fit.
1657. Cromwell, Sp., 8 April (Carlyle). You can capacitate me to receive satisfaction in them.
1669. Worlidge, Syst. Agric., ii. (1681), 10. It capacitates all sorts of Land … for some of the Improvements mentioned.
1704. Swift, T. Tub, Pref. He will please to capacitate and prepare himself by these directions.
1710. Norris, Chr. Prud., iv. 175. This Temper that naturally qualifies and capacitates us for Happiness.
1853. Robertson, Serm., Ser. III. iii. (1872), 32. Long and careful study … capacitates him for his task.
absol. 1692. Villiers (Dk. Buckhm.), Chances (1714), 177. A Fund which might capacitate to make you Presents of my own.
2. To make legally capable; to qualify in law.
1657. Cromwell, Sp., 21 April (Carlyle). It seems to capacitate all those who revolted from the parliament [to elect or be elected].
1686. Evelyn, Mem. (1857), II. 273. 2nd March Came out a proclamation … capacitating Papists to be chosen into all offices of trust.
c. 1792. Wilkes, Corr. (1805), V. 190. To admit all the other sectaries to be capacitated equally with the members of the church of England.
Hence Capacitated ppl. a., Capacitating vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
a. 1652. J. Smith, Sel. Disc., ix. 417. The capacitating of man for converse with God.
1669. W. Simpson, Hydrol. Chym., 270. Being conveighed into a proper capacitated Matrix.
