noun

1. a taking or being taken by force, surprise, or skill, as enemy troops, an opponent's piece in chess, etc.
2. that which is thus taken or seized; specif., a prize or booty in war
3. the absorption of a particle by an atomic nucleus; esp., the absorption of a neutron or an orbital electron that often results in the immediate emission of radiation

Etymology: Fr < L captura < captus: see captive

transitive verb captured -·tured, capturing -·tur·ing

1. to take or seize by force, surprise, or skill
2. to represent (something transient, immaterial, etc.) in more or less permanent form to capture her charm on canvas
3. to effect the capture of (a subatomic particle)