Collins English-English Dictionary

capital ['kæpɪt^əl]

1. 1. n a capital letter cap cap

2. 2. n the seat of government of a country or other political unit

3. 3. n (as modifier)

   a capital city

4. 4. n material wealth owned by an individual or business enterprise

5. 5. n wealth available for or capable of use in the production of further wealth, as by industrial investment

6. 6. n [sometimes capital] the capitalist class or their interests

   capital versus labour

7. 7. n [accounting] the ownership interests of a business as represented by the excess of assets over liabilities

8. 8. n the nominal value of the authorized or issued shares

9. 9. n (as modifier)

   capital issues

10. 10. n any assets or resources, esp when used to gain profit or advantage

11. 11. n (as modifier)

    capital B

12. 12. adj [prenominal] [law] involving or punishable by death

    a capital offence

13. 13. adj very serious; fatal

    a capital error

14. 14. adj primary, chief, or principal

    our capital concern is that everyone be fed

15. 15. adj of, relating to, or designating the large modern majuscule letter used chiefly as the initial letter in personal names and place names and other uniquely specificatory nouns, and often for abbreviations and acronyms - Compare small - See also upper case

16. 16. adj [chiefly Brit] excellent; first-rate

    a capital idea

17. 17. adj [Etymology] C13: from Latin capitalis (adj) concerning the head, chief, from caput head; compare Medieval Latin capitale (n) wealth, from capitalis (adj)

capital ['kæpɪt^əl]

1. 1. n the upper part of a column or pier that supports the entablature chapiter cap

2. 2. n [Etymology] C14: from Old French capitel, from Late Latin capitellum, diminutive of caput head