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capital

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Capital is defined as the most important or most serious, something related to wealth, the seat of government, or punishable by death.

(adjective)

An example of capital is the most important quality an employer is looking for in a potential employee; a capital quality.
An example of capital is an investment; a capital investment.
An example of capital is the White House; the capital of U.S. government.
An example of capital is the crime of first degree murder; a capital offense.

The definition of capital is wealth used to create more wealth, a upper case letter, the place where an official government seat is located, or the primary place where an industry is located.

(noun)

An example of capital is five thousand dollars available to invest.
An example of a capital is the first letter of a person's name.
An example of a capital is Sacramento; the capital of California.
An example of a capital is Dalton, Georgia, known for the carpet industry; the carpet capital.

See capital in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

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

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

noun

capital letter
a city or town that is the official seat of government of a state, nation, etc.
a city where a certain industry, activity, etc. is centered: the rubber capital
wealth (money or property) owned or used in business by a person, corporation, etc.
an accumulated stock of such wealth or its value
wealth, in whatever form, used or capable of being used to produce more wealth
any source of benefit or assistance
capitalists collectively
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

noun

the top part of a column or pilaster

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

See capital in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A town or city that is the official seat of government in a political entity, such as a state or nation.
b. A city that is the center of a specific activity or industry: the financial capital of the world.
a. Wealth in the form of money or property, used or accumulated in a business by a person, partnership, or corporation.
b. Material wealth used or available for use in the production of more wealth.
c. Human resources considered in terms of their contributions to an economy: “[The] swift unveiling of his . . . plans provoked a flight of human capital” (George F. Will).
Accounting The remaining assets of a business after all liabilities have been deducted; net worth.
Capital stock.
Capitalists considered as a group or class.
An asset or advantage: “profited from political capital accumulated by others” (Michael Mandelbaum).
A capital letter.

adjective

First and foremost; principal: a decision of capital importance.
First-rate; excellent: a capital idea.
Relating to or being a seat of government.
Extremely serious: a capital blunder.
Involving death or calling for the death penalty: a capital offense.
Of or relating to financial assets, especially being or related to those financial assets that add to the net worth of a business: made capital improvements at the plant site.
Relating to or being a capital letter.

Origin:

Origin: From Middle English, principal

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin capitālis

Origin: , from caput, head, money laid out; see kaput- in Indo-European roots

Usage Note: The term for a town or city that serves as a seat of government is spelled capital. The term for the building in which a legislative assembly meets is spelled capitol.

noun
Architecture

The top part of a pillar or column.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Anglo-Norman

Origin: , from Late Latin capitellum

Origin: , diminutive of Latin caput, head; see kaput- in Indo-European roots

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