capon
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of capon
First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English capun, from Latin capōn- (stem of capō ) “castrated cock”; akin to Greek kóptein “to cut,” Old Church Slavonic skopiti “to castrate”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Inside the Marché Beauvau, the Marché d’Aligre’s historic covered market, featuring higher-quality butchers, fishmongers, and cheese and poultry sellers, shoppers were eyeing capon, oysters and truffles for the holidays.
From New York Times • Dec. 22, 2021
On second thought, this could be the year of the capon.
From Washington Post • Jan. 2, 2017
Mr Hoover once described his ouster Mr Roosevelt as a "chameleon in plaid" while FDR called his predecessor a "fat, timid capon".
From BBC • Nov. 10, 2016
Tell her you want her to know now that a capon will do for her Thanksgiving because the rest of you will be enjoying the turkey elsewhere, thankful you’re out of grandma’s sight.
From Slate • Aug. 5, 2015
"You run if you want to eat tonight," he shouted, his promises of a plump crisp capon already forgotten.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.