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capitulate

[ kuh-pich-uh-leyt ]
/ kəˈpɪtʃ əˌleɪt /
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See synonyms for: capitulate / capitulating on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), ca·pit·u·lat·ed, ca·pit·u·lat·ing.
to surrender unconditionally or on stipulated terms: When he saw the extent of the forces arrayed against him, the king capitulated, and signed their list of demands.
to give up resistance: He finally capitulated and agreed to do the job my way.
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Origin of capitulate

First recorded in 1570–80; from Medieval Latin capitulātus (past participle of capitulāre “to draw up in sections”), equivalent to capitul(um) “section,” literally, “small head” + -ātus ; see origin at capitulum,chapter, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM capitulate

ca·pit·u·lant, nounca·pit·u·la·tor, nounun·ca·pit·u·lat·ed, adjectiveun·ca·pit·u·lat·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH capitulate

capitulate , recapitulate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use capitulate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for capitulate

capitulate
/ (kəˈpɪtjʊˌleɪt) /

verb
(intr) to surrender, esp under agreed conditions

Derived forms of capitulate

capitulator, noun

Word Origin for capitulate

C16 (meaning: to arrange under heads, draw up in order; hence, to make terms of surrender): from Medieval Latin capitulare to draw up under heads, from capitulum chapter
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
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