[cap.i.tal] n [ME capitale, modif. of ONF capitel, fr. LL capitellum small head, top of column, dim. of L capit-, caput head--more at head] (13c): the uppermost member of a column or pilaster crowning the shaft and taking the weight of the entablature--see column illustration
[2]capital adj [ME, fr. L capitalis, fr. capit-, caput] (14c) 1 of a letter: of or conforming to the series A, B, C, etc. rather than a, b, c, etc.
2. a: punishable by death "a ~ crime" b: involving execution "~ punishment" c: most serious "a ~ error" 3 a: chief in importance or influence "~ ships" "the ~ importance of criticism in the work of creation itself --T. S. Eliot" b: being the seat of government
4: of or relating to capital; esp: relating to or being assets that add to the long-term net worth of a corporation "~ improvements"
5: excellent "a ~ book" [3]capital n [F or It; F, fr. It capitale, fr. capitale, adj., chief, principal, fr. L capitalis] (ca. 1639) 1 a (1): a stock of accumulated goods esp. at a specified time and in contrast to income received during a specified period; also: the value of these accumulated goods (2): accumulated goods devoted to the production of other goods (3): accumulated possessions calculated to bring in income b (1): net worth (2): capital stock c: persons holding capital d: advantage, gain "make ~ of the situation"
2. [
[2]capital] a: a capital letter; esp: an initial capital letter b: a letter belonging to a style of alphabet modeled on the style customarily used in inscriptions 3 [
[2]capital] a: a city serving as a seat of government b: a city preeminent in some special activity "the fashion ~"