decapitalize

[ dee-kap-i-tl-ahyz ]

/ diˈkæp ɪ tlˌaɪz /

Save This Word!

verb (used with object), de·cap·i·tal·ized, de·cap·i·tal·iz·ing.

to deprive of capital; discourage capital formation; withdraw capital from: The government decapitalized industry with harsh tax policies.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

Also especially British, de·cap·i·tal·ise .

Origin of decapitalize

First recorded in 1870–75; de- + capitalize

de·cap·i·tal·i·za·tion, noun