capitation

American  

[kap-i-tey-shuhn] / ˌkæp ɪˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. a numbering or assessing by the head.

2. a poll tax.

3. a fee or payment of a uniform amount for each person.

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capitation British  

/ ˌkæpɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. a tax levied on the basis of a fixed amount per head

2. a grant of money given to every person who qualifies under certain conditions

3. the process of assessing or numbering by counting heads

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• capitative
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of capitation

First recorded in 1605–15; from French, from Late Latin capitātiōn- (stem of capitātiō ), equivalent to Latin capit- (stem of caput ) “head” + -ātiōn noun suffix; see origin at -ation

Related Words

• contribution
• cost
• duty
• expense
• fine
• levy
• price
• rate
• tariff