capital
[1]
n
a the seat of government of a country or other political unit
b (as modifier)
a capital city
2 material wealth owned by an individual or business enterprise
3 wealth available for or capable of use in the production of further wealth, as by industrial investment
4 ♦
make capital (out) of to get advantage from
5 sometimes cap the capitalist class or their interests
capital versus labour
a the ownership interests of a business as represented by the excess of assets over liabilities
b the nominal value of the authorized or issued shares
c (as modifier)
capital issues
7 any assets or resources, esp. when used to gain profit or advantage
a a capital letter, (Abbrev.)
cap, cap
b (as modifier)
capital B
9 ♦
with a capital A, B, etc. (used to give emphasis to a statement)
he is mean with a capital M
adj
10 prenominal (Law) involving or punishable by death
a capital offence
11 very serious; fatal
a capital error
12 primary, chief, or principal
our capital concern is that everyone be fed
13 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 →
9
See also →
upper case
14 (Chiefly Brit) excellent; first-rate
a capital idea
(C13: from Latin capitalis (adj) concerning the head, chief, from caput head; compare Medieval Latin capitale (n) wealth, from capitalis (adj))
English Collins Dictionary - English Definition & Thesaurus
capital [2]
n the upper part of a column or pier that supports the entablature, (Also called)
chapiter, cap
(C14: from Old French capitel, from Late Latin capitellum, diminutive of caput head)
English Collins Dictionary - English Definition & Thesaurus
capital
adj
1 cardinal, central, chief, controlling, essential, foremost, important, leading, main, major, overruling, paramount, pre-eminent, primary, prime, principal, prominent, vital
2 excellent, fine, first, first-rate, prime, splendid, sterling, superb, world-class
n
3 assets, cash, finance, finances, financing, funds, investment(s), means, money, principal, property, resources, stock, wealth, wherewithal
English Collins Dictionary - English synonyms & Thesaurus
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