capo

[ key-poh ]

/ ˈkeɪ poʊ /

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noun, plural ca·pos.

any of various devices for a guitar, lute, banjo, etc., that when clamped or screwed down across the strings at a given fret will raise each string a corresponding number of half tones.

the nut of a guitar, lute, banjo, etc.

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Also called capotasto.

Origin of capo

1875–80; <Italian, shortening of capotastocapotasto

Words nearby capo

cap jib, Caplet, caplin, cap. moll., cap'n, capo, capoeira, cap of maintenance, capon, caponata, Capone

Other definitions for capo (2 of 2)

capo²

[ kah-poh, kap-oh ]

/ ˈkɑ poʊ, ˈkæp oʊ /

noun, plural ca·pos.

the chief of a branch of the Mafia.

Origin of capo

1960–65; <Italian: head, leader <Vulgar Latin *capum for Latin caput;cf. chief

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

How to use capo in a sentence

Her father was reputedly a capo in the Bonanno crime family.
'Mob Wives’ Courtroom Drama Exposes Rat, But Protects Jury|Michael Daly|March 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Reprinted courtesy of Da Capo Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group.
The Night the SEALS Captured the Butcher of Fallujah|Patrick Robinson|November 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Treviño Morales had washed the cars of a drug capo known as El Caris.
On the Hunt for Treviño Morales, Zetas Leader|Alfredo Corchado|August 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Zerilli reportedly held the rank as capo, or captain, when he came out, though he is said by some to have served as underboss.
Meet Tony Zerilli, the Mobster Behind This Jimmy Hoffa Dig|Michael Daly|June 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Today the target is hedge funds, and Steve Cohen is the capo di capo.
Eliot Spitzer: Busting CEOs on Insider Trading Is the Tough Job|Daniel Gross|November 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Miaulis has blown up his fleet rather than obey Capo d'Istria.
Memoirs of the Duchesse de Dino v.1/3, 1831-1835|Dorothy Duchesse de Dino
"Of Guy—the founder—and of the Crusades; it is a tale a maid may hear," the Capo responded grimly.
The Royal Pawn of Venice|Mrs. Lawrence Turnbull
"The time of a Venetian is his best gift to the State," the Capo made answer icily.
The Royal Pawn of Venice|Mrs. Lawrence Turnbull
There was a pause during which the unwilling Secretary felt the eyes of the Capo upon him, forcing him to lift his own.
The Royal Pawn of Venice|Mrs. Lawrence Turnbull
Whoever the capo maestra that Rizzi worked for, he was not only a deep-dyed villain, but a brainy one.
Courts and Criminals|Arthur Train

British Dictionary definitions for capo (1 of 2)

capo¹

/ (ˈkeɪpəʊ, ˈkæpəʊ) /

noun plural -pos

a device fitted across all the strings of a guitar, banjo, etc, so as to raise the pitch of each string simultaneouslyAlso called: capo tasto (ˈkæpəʊ ˈtæstəʊ) Compare barré

Word Origin for capo

from Italian capo tasto head stop

British Dictionary definitions for capo (2 of 2)

capo²

/ (ˈkæpəʊ, Italian ˈkapo) /

noun plural -pos

the presumed title of a Mafia leader

Word Origin for capo

Italian: 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