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capital1 definition

capi·tal (kap′ət 'l)

adjective

  1. involving or punishable by death (originally by decapitation) a capital offense
  2. most important or most serious; principal; chief a capital virtue
  3. of most political importance, as being the seat of government a capital city
  4. of or having to do with capital, or wealth
  5. first-rate; excellent a capital idea

Etymology: ME & OFr < L capitalis, of the head < caput, head

noun

  1. capital letter
  2. a city or town that is the official seat of government of a state, nation, etc.
  3. a city where a certain industry, activity, etc. is centered the rubber capital
  4. wealth (money or property) owned or used in business by a person, corporation, etc.
  5. an accumulated stock of such wealth or its value
  6. wealth, in whatever form, used or capable of being used to produce more wealth
  7. any source of benefit or assistance
  8. capitalists collectively
  9. Accounting
    1. the net worth of a business; amount by which the assets exceed the liabilities
    2. the face value of all the stock issued or authorized by a corporation
capital Idioms

make capital of

to make the most of; exploit
capital2 definition

capi·tal (kap′ət 'l)

noun

the top part of a column or pilaster

Etymology: ME < OFr chapitel < L capitellum, dim. of caput, head

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business capital definition - business

finance capital definition - finance

idioms capital idiom

law capital definition - legal

capital Synonyms

capital

modif.

  1. Principal

    chief, main, first, dominant; see principal.

  2. Excellent

    splendid, choice, first-rate, delightful; see excellent, superior. See syn. study at principal.


capital

n.

  1. A seat of government

    metropolis, principal city, seat of government; see capitol, center 2, city.

  2. Money and property

    assets, resources, principal, venture capital; see funds, industry 3, money 1, 3, property 1, wealth 1.

  3. A letter usually used initially

    initial, uppercase, majuscule; see letter 1.

make capital of

exploit, make the most of, get advantage from, profit by; see use 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

capital Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • province: Trier, the ancient Roman capital of the German province was a particular hit.

Converse of object

  • authorize: The authorized share capital is the maximum number of shares a company can issue.

Adjective modifier

  • authorized: The fees of incorporation are based on the IBC's authorized share capital.

Modifies a noun

  • expenditure: Capital expenditure must not exceed 20 % of the overall grant awarded.

Noun used with modifier

  • venture: Today we have only six per cent of the early stage high tech venture capital of the United States.
capital usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

capital quotes

What a finething capital punishment is! Dead mennever repent; dead men never bring awkward stories to light. Ah, it's a finething for thetrade! Five of 'emstrung up ina row; and none left to play booty, or turn white-livered!

-Dickens, CharlesJohn Huffam

The long and distressing controversy over capital punishment is very unfair to anyone meditating murder.

-Fisher (of Lambeth), Geoffrey Francis Fisher, Baron

Does capital punishment tend to the security of the people? By no means. It hardens the hearts of men, and makes the loss of life appear light to them; and it renders life insecure, inasmuch as the law holds out that property is of greater value than life.

-Fry, Elizabeth

capital quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"capital." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/capital>

APA Style

capital. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/capital

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