v.
Pronunciation: ' ka-p ə -t ə - ˌ l ī z, ' kap-t ə -, Brit also k ə - ' pi-t ə -
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -ized ; -iz · ing
Date: 1764
transitive verb
1 : to write or print with an initial capital or in capitals
2 a : to convert into capital < capitalize the company's reserve fund> b : to treat as an amortizable investment in long-term capital assets rather than as an ordinary operating expense to be charged against revenue for the period in which it is incurred < capitalize development costs>
3 a : to compute the present value of (an income extended over a period of time) b : to convert (a periodic payment) into an equivalent capital sum < capitalized annuities>
4 : to supply capital for
intransitive verb : to gain by turning something to advantage : PROFIT < capitalize on an opponent's mistake>