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capital
1[ kap-i-tl ]
/ ˈkæp ɪ tl /
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noun
adjective
OTHER WORDS FOR capital
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Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?
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Origin of capital
1First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English; (adjective) from Anglo-French or directly from Latin capitālis “of the head” (capit-, stem of caput “head” + -ālis adjective suffix; see -al1); (noun) from Medieval Latin capitāle “wealth,” noun use of neuter of the adjective capitālis
synonym study for capital
11. The adjectives capital, chief, major, principal apply to a main or leading representative of a kind. Capital may mean larger or more prominent; it may also suggest preeminence or excellence: capital letter, idea, virtue, etc. Chief means leading, highest in office or power: the chief clerk. Major may refer to greatness of importance, number, or quantity: a major operation, the major part of a population. Principal refers to most distinguished, influential, or foremost: principal officer.
words often confused with capital
The noun capital1 refers to a city or town that is the seat of government; to a capital letter as opposed to a lowercase letter; and to wealth or resources. The noun Capitol refers primarily to the building in Washington, D.C., in which Congress sits or to similar buildings used by state legislatures.
OTHER WORDS FROM capital
cap·i·tal·ness, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH capital
capital , Capitol (see confusables note at the current entry)Words nearby capital
Other definitions for capital (2 of 2)
capital2
[ kap-i-tl ]
/ ˈkæp ɪ tl /
noun Architecture.
the distinctively treated upper end of a column, pier, or the like.
Origin of capital
21250–1300; Middle English capitale head (noun use of neuter of Latin adj.) for Latin capitellum, equivalent to capit- (stem of caput) head + -ellum diminutive suffix
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use capital in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for capital (1 of 2)
capital1
/ (ˈkæpɪtəl) /
noun
adjective
Word Origin for capital
C13: from Latin capitālis (adj) concerning the head, chief, from caput head; compare Medieval Latin capitāle (n) wealth, from capitālis (adj)
British Dictionary definitions for capital (2 of 2)
capital2
/ (ˈkæpɪtəl) /
noun
the upper part of a column or pier that supports the entablatureAlso called: chapiter, cap
Word Origin for capital
C14: from Old French capitel, from Late Latin capitellum, diminutive of caput head
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for capital (1 of 2)
capital
In architecture, the top portion of a column.
notes for capital
The form of the capital often serves to distinguish one style of architecture from another. For example, the Corinthian, Doric, and Ionic styles of Greek architecture all have different capitals.
Cultural definitions for capital (2 of 2)
capital
Money used to finance the purchase of the means of production, such as machines, or the machines themselves.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with capital
capital
see make capital out of.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.