capo

[ key-poh ]

/ ˈkeɪ poʊ /

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.

Nearby words

capitulationism, capitulum, capiz, caplet, caplin, capo, capoeira, capon, caponata, capone, capone, al

Origin of capo

1875–80; < Italian, shortening of capotasto capotasto

Also called capotasto.

Definition for capo (2 of 2)

capo

[ 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for capo

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
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
And then the Parmesan, "I will put him to sleep and bear him to the capo in testa in our name!"
"Persons Unknown"|Virginia Tracy

But if the capo d'opera of sculptured child-life be excluded, the Prato Pulpit will always retain a well-deserved popularity.
Donatello|David Lindsay, Earl of Crawford
I hope the Capo Lazzarone may not desert him for some other member of the Calendar, but he seems to threaten it.
Pictures from Italy|Charles Dickens
Tak' dem to capo in testa for show extrra gooda faith in nama da Arma of Zhoostees.
"Persons Unknown"|Virginia Tracy
As you can see for yourself if you go to San Lorenzo in Lucina the work is a capo d'opera and the pope knows better than you.
Rome|Mildred Anna Rosalie Tuker

British Dictionary definitions for capo (1 of 2)

capo

/ (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)

capo

/ (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