definitions

capital offense

A crime, such as murder or betrayal of one's country, that is treated so seriously that death may be considered an appropriate punishment.

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Nearby words

capital letter, capital letters, capital levy, capital loss, capital market, capital offense, capital outlay, capital punishment, capital resources, capital ship, capital stock
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.