I. ˈkap noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English cappe, from Old English cæppe, from Late Latin cappa head covering, cloak
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a head covering especially with a visor and no brim
b. : a distinctive head covering emblematic of a position or office: as
(1) : a cardinal's biretta
(2) : mortarboard
2. : a natural cover or top: as
a. : an overlying rock layer that is usually hard to penetrate
b.
(1) : pileus
(2) : calyptra
c. : the top of a bird's head or a patch of distinctively colored feathers in this area
3.
a. : something that serves as a cover or protection especially for a tip, knob, or end
a bottle cap
b. : a fitting for closing the end of a tube (as a water pipe or electric conduit)
c. British : cervical cap
d. : an artificial crown for a tooth
4. : an overlaying or covering structure
5. : a paper or metal container holding an explosive charge (as for a toy pistol)
6. : an upper limit (as on expenditures) : ceiling
7. : the symbol ∩ indicating the intersection of two sets — compare cup 9
8. : a cluster of molecules or chemical groups bound to one end or a region of a cell, virus, or molecule
•
- cap in hand
II. verb
( capped ; cap·ping )
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to provide or protect with a cap
b. : to give a cap to as a symbol of honor, rank, or achievement
2. : to form a cap over : crown
the mountains were capped with mist — John Buchan
3.
a. : to follow with something more noticeable or more significant : outdo
b. : to bring to a climax or conclusion
cap off the show with a song
4. : to form a chemical cap on
5. : to prevent from growing or spreading : set an upper limit on
cap oil prices
6. : to supply (a tooth) with an artificial crown
intransitive verb
: to form or produce a chemical cap
III. noun
Etymology: short for capsule
Date: 1942
: a small amount of an illegal or legally regulated drug ; especially : a small amount of a drug enclosed in a capsule
IV. noun
Date: 1982
: capitalization 1d
V. abbreviation
1. capacity
2. capital
3. capitalize; capitalized