capital

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cap•i•tal

[[t]ˈkæp ɪ tl[/t]] n.

1) gov the city or town that is the official seat of government of a country, state, etc

2) cvb a city regarded as being of special eminence in some field:

the dance capital[/ex]

3) pri

capital letter

4) bus the wealth, as in money or property, owned or employed in business by an individual, firm, etc

5) bus

a) assets remaining after deduction of liabilities; the net worth of a business

b) the ownership interest in a business

6) bus any source of profit, advantage, power, etc.; asset

7) bus pertaining to financial capital

8) principal; primary:

a subject of capital concern[/ex]

9) gov chief, esp. as being the official seat of government of a country, state, etc.:

a capital city[/ex]

10) excellent or first-rate:

a capital hotel[/ex]

11) pri indicating a capital letter; uppercase

12) involving loss of life

13) punishable by death:

a capital crime[/ex]

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Etymology: 1175–1225; < L capitālis of the head < caput head; (n.) < ML capitāle wealth < L capitālis syn: capital, chief, major, principal apply to a main or leading representative of a kind. capital may suggest preeminence, importance, or excellence: a capital idea. chief often means highest in office or power; it may mean most important: the chief clerk; the chief problem. major refers to someone or something that is greater in number, quantity, or importance: a major resource; a major poet. principal refers to the most distinguished, influential, or foremost person or thing: a principal stockholder; the principal reason. II

cap•i•tal

[[t]ˈkæp ɪ tl[/t]] n.

archit. the distinctively treated upper end of a column, pilaster, or the like

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Etymology: 1250–1300; LL capitellum < L caput head