Cap - Capital

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Cap (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Capped (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Capping.] 1. To cover with a cap, or as with a cap; to provide with a cap or cover; to cover the top or end of; to place a cap upon the proper part of; as, to cap a post; to cap a gun.
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The bones next the joint are capped with a smooth cartilaginous substance. Derham.
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2. To deprive of cap. [Obs.] Spenser.
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3. To complete; to crown; to bring to the highest point or consummation; as, to cap the climax of absurdity.
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4. To salute by removing the cap. [Slang. Eng.]
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Tom . . . capped the proctor with the profoundest of bows. Thackeray.
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5. To match; to mate in contest; to furnish a complement to; as, to cap text; to cap proverbs. Shak.
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Now I have him under girdle I'll cap verses with him to the end of the chapter. Dryden.
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☞ In capping verses, when one quotes a verse another must cap it by quoting one beginning with the last letter of the first letter, or with the first letter of the last word, or ending with a rhyming word, or by applying any other arbitrary rule may be agreed upon.
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Cap, v. i. To uncover the head respectfully. Shak.
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Capability (?), n.; pl. Capabilities (#). 1. The quality of being capable; capacity; capableness; esp. intellectual power or ability.
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A capability to take a thousand views of a subject. H. Taylor.
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2. Capacity of being used or improved.
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Capable (?), a. [F. capable, LL. capabilis capacious, capable, fr. L. caper to take, contain. See .] 1. Possessing ability, qualification, or susceptibility; having capacity; of sufficient size or strength; as, a room capable of holding a large number; a castle capable of resisting a long assault.
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Concious of joy and capable of pain. Prior.
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2. Possessing adequate power; qualified; able; fully competent; as, a capable instructor; a capable judge; a mind capable of nice investigations.
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More capable to discourse of battles than to give them. Motley.
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3. Possessing legal power or capacity; as, a man capable of making a contract, or a will.
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4. Capacious; large; comprehensive. [Obs.] Shak.
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☞ Capable is usually followed by of, sometimes by an infinitive.

Syn. -- Able; competent; qualified; fitted; efficient; effective; skillful.
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Capableness, n. The quality or state of being capable; capability; adequateness; competency.
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capaciate v. i. (Biol.) to become active so as to be able to penetrate an ovum; -- of sperm, in the female reproduction system.
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Capacify (kȧpăsĭfī), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Capacified (kȧpăsĭfīd).] [L. capax, -acis, capacious + -fy.] To quality. [R.]
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The benefice he is capacified and designed for. Barrow.
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Capacious (kȧpāshŭs), a. [L. capax, -acis, fr. capere to take. See .] 1. Having capacity; able to contain much; large; roomy; spacious; extended; broad; as, a capacious vessel, room, bay, or harbor.
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In the capacious recesses of his mind. Bancroft.
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2. Able or qualified to make large views of things, as in obtaining knowledge or forming designs; comprehensive; liberal. “A capacious mind.” Watts.
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Capaciously, adv. In a capacious manner or degree; comprehensively.
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Capaciousness, n. The quality of being capacious, as of a vessel, a reservoir a bay, the mind, etc.
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capacitance (kȧpăsĭt�ns), n. 1. an electrical phenomenon whereby an electric charge is stored.
Syn. -- electrical capacity, capacity.
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2. (Electronics) a measure of the ability of a capacitor to store electrical charge; the ratio of the charge on one plate of a capacitor to the potential difference between the plates.
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Capacitate (kȧpăsĭtāt), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Capacitated; p. pr. & vb. n. Capacitating.] To render capable; to enable; to qualify.
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By this instruction we may be capaciated to observe those errors. Dryden.
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capacitive (kȧpăsĭtĭv), adj. of or pertaining to capacitance.
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capacitor (kȧpăsĭtẽr), n. a device used in electronic circuits to hold electrical charge, consisting of two conducting plates separated by a nonconducting (dielectric) medium; it is characterized by its capacitance.
Syn. -- condenser, electrical condenser.
[WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

Capacity (kȧpăsĭt�), n.; pl. Capacities (-tĭz). [L. capacitus, fr. capax, capacis; fr. F. capacité. See .] 1. The power of receiving or containing; extent of room or space; passive power; -- used in reference to physical things.
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Had our great palace the capacity
To camp this host, we all would sup together. Shak.
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The capacity of the exhausted cylinder. Boyle.
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2. The power of receiving and holding ideas, knowledge, etc.; the comprehensiveness of the mind; the receptive faculty; capability of understanding or feeling.
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Capacity is now properly limited to these [the mere passive operations of the mind]; its primary signification, which is literally room for, as well as its employment, favors this; although it can not be denied that there are examples of its usage in an active sense. Sir W. Hamilton.
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3. Ability; power pertaining to, or resulting from, the possession of strength, wealth, or talent; possibility of being or of doing.
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The capacity of blessing the people. Alex. Hamilton.
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A cause with such capacities endued. Blackmore.
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4. Outward condition or circumstances; occupation; profession; character; position; as, to work in the capacity of a mason or a carpenter.
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5. (Law) Legal or moral qualification, as of age, residence, character, etc., necessary for certain purposes, as for holding office, for marrying, for making contracts, wills, etc.; legal power or right; competency.
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Coloq. Capacity for heat , the power of absorbing heat. Substances differ in the amount of heat requisite to raise them a given number of thermometric degrees, and this difference is the measure of, or depends upon, what is called their capacity for heat. See Specific heat, under .

Syn. -- Ability; faculty; talent; capability; skill; efficiency; cleverness. See .
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Capape (?), adv. See . Shak.
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Capapie (?), adv. [OF. (�) cap-a-pie, from head to foot, now de pied en cap from foot to head; L. pes foot + caput head.] From head to foot; at all points. “He was armed cap-a-pie.” Prescott.
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Caparison (?), n. [F. caparaçon, fr. Sp. caparazon a cover for a saddle, coach, etc.; capa cloak, cover (fr. LL. capa, cf. LL. caparo also fr. capa) + the term. azon. See .] 1. An ornamental covering or housing for a horse; the harness or trappings of a horse, taken collectively, especially when decorative.
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Their horses clothed with rich caparison. Drylen.
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2. Gay or rich clothing.
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My heart groans beneath the gay caparison. Smollett.
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Caparison, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Caparisoned (?) p. pr. & vb. n. Caparisoning.] [Cf. F caparaçonner.]
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1. To cover with housings, as a horse; to harness or fit out with decorative trappings, as a horse.
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The steeds, caparisoned with purple, stand. Dryden.
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2. To adorn with rich dress; to dress.
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I am caparisoned like a man. Shak.
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Caparro (?), n. [Native Indian name.] (Zoöl.) A large South American monkey (Lagothrix Humboldtii), with prehensile tail.
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Capcase (?), n. A small traveling case or bandbox; formerly, a chest.
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A capcase for your linen and your plate. Beau. & Fl.
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Cape (kāp), n. [F. cap, fr. It. capo head, cape, fr. L. caput heat, end, point. See .] A piece or point of land, extending beyond the adjacent coast into the sea or a lake; a promontory; a headland.
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Coloq. Cape buffalo (Zoöl.) a large and powerful buffalo of South Africa (Bubalus Caffer). It is said to be the most dangerous wild beast of Africa. See , 2. -- Coloq. Cape jasmine , Coloq. Cape jessamine . See . -- Coloq. Cape pigeon (Zoöl.), a petrel (Daptium Capense) common off the Cape of Good Hope. It is about the size of a pigeon. -- Coloq. Cape wine , wine made in South Africa [Eng.] -- Coloq. The Cape , the Cape of Good Hope, in the general sense of the southern extremity of Africa. Also used of Cape Horn, and, in New England, of Cape Cod.
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Cape, v. i. (Naut.) To head or point; to keep a course; as, the ship capes southwest by south.
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Cape, n. [OE. Cape, fr. F. cape; cf. LL. cappa. See , and cf. 1st , .] A sleeveless garment or part of a garment, hanging from the neck over the back, arms, and shoulders, but not reaching below the hips. See .
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Cape, v. i. [See .] To gape. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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{ Capel (kāpĕl), Caple (-p'l) }, n. [Icel. kapall; cf. L. caballus.] A horse; a nag. [Obs.] Chaucer. Holland.
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Capel (kāpĕl), n. (Mining) A composite stone (quartz, schorl, and hornblende) in the walls of tin and copper lodes.
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Capelan (?), n. (Zoöl.) See .
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Capelin (?), n. [Cf. F. capelan, caplan.] (Zoöl.) Either of two small marine fishes formerly classified in the family Salmonidæ, now within the smelt family Osmeridae: Mallotus villosus, very abundant on the coasts of Greenland, Iceland, Newfoundland, and Alaska; or Mallotus catervarius, found in the North Pacific. The Atlantic variety has been used as a bait for the cod. [Written also capelan and caplin.]
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☞ This fish, which is like a smelt, is called by the Spaniards anchova, and by the Portuguese capelina. However the used as a food is a different fish. Fisheries of U. S. (1884).
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Capeline (?), n. [F., fr. LL. capella. See .] (Med.) A hood-shaped bandage for the head, the shoulder, or the stump of an amputated limb.
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Capella (?), n. [L., a little goat, dim. of caper a goat.] (Asrton.) A brilliant star in the constellation Auriga.
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Capellane (?), n. [See .] The curate of a chapel; a chaplain. [Obs.] Fuller.
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Capelle (?), n. [G.] (Mus.) The private orchestra or band of a prince or of a church.
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Capellet (?), n. [F. capelet.] (Far.) A swelling, like a wen, on the point of the elbow (or the heel of the hock) of a horse, caused probably by bruises in lying down.
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Capellmeister (?), n. [G., fr. capelle chapel, private band of a prince + meister a master.] The musical director in a royal or ducal chapel; a choir-master. [Written also kapellmeister.]
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Caper (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Capered p. pr. & vb. n. capering.] [From older capreoll to caper, cf. F. se cabrer to prance; all ultimately fr. L. caper, capra, goat. See .] To leap or jump about in a sprightly manner; to cut capers; to skip; to spring; to prance; to dance.
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He capers, he dances, he has eyes of youth. Shak.
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Caper, n. A frolicsome leap or spring; a skip; a jump, as in mirth or dancing; a prank.
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Coloq. To cut a caper , to frolic; to make a sportive spring; to play a prank. Shak.
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Caper, n. [D. kaper.] A vessel formerly used by the Dutch, privateer. Wright.
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Caper, n. [F. câpre, fr. L. capparis, Gr. �; cf. Ar. & Per. al-kabar.] 1. The pungent grayish green flower bud of the European and Oriental caper (Capparis spinosa), much used for pickles.
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2. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Capparis; -- called also caper bush, caper tree.
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☞ The Capparis spinosa is a low prickly shrub of the Mediterranean coasts, with trailing branches and brilliant flowers; -- cultivated in the south of Europe for its buds. The Capparis sodada is an almost leafless spiny shrub of central Africa (Soudan), Arabia, and southern India, with edible berries.
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Coloq. Bean caper . See , in the . -- Coloq. Caper sauce , a kind of sauce or catchup made of capers.
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Caperberry (?), n. 1. The small olive-shaped berry of the European and Oriental caper, said to be used in pickles and as a condiment.
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2. The currantlike fruit of the African and Arabian caper (Capparis sodado).
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{ Caper bush (?), Caper tree (?). }See , a plant, 2.
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{ Capercailzie (?), or Capercally (?), } n. [Gael, capulcoile.] (Zoöl.) A species of black Old World grouse (Tetrao uragallus) of large size and fine flavor, found in northern Europe and formerly in Scotland; -- called also cock of the woods and horse of the wood. [Written also capercaillie, capercaili.]
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Caperclaw (?), v. t. To treat with cruel playfulness, as a cat treats a mouse; to abuse. [Obs.] Birch.
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Caperer (?), n. One who capers, leaps, and skips about, or dances.
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The nimble caperer on the cord. Dryden.
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capeweed n. 1. a European weed (Hypochaeris radicata) widely naturalized in North America, having yellow flower heads and leaves resembling a cat's ears.
Syn. -- cat's-ear, cat's ear, California dandelion, gosmore.
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2. [Cape, from the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa + weed.] a type of low-growing, creeping plant (Arctotheca calendulaceae), used as a ground cover in warm climates. RHUD
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Capful (?), n.; pl. (�). As much as will fill a cap.
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Coloq. A capful of wind (Naut.), a light puff of wind.
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Capias (?), n. [L. thou mayst take.] (Low) A writ or process commanding the officer to take the body of the person named in it, that is, to arrest him; -- also called writ of capias.
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☞ One principal kind of capias is a writ by which actions at law are frequently commenced; another is a writ of execution issued after judgment to satisfy damages recovered; a capias in criminal law is the process to take a person charged on an indictment, when he is not in custody. Burrill. Wharton.
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Capibara (?), n. (Zoöl.) See .
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Capillaceous (?), a. [L. capillaceus hairy, fr. capillus hair.] Having long filaments; resembling a hair; slender. See .
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Capillaire (?), n. [F. capillaire maiden-hair; sirop de capillaire capillaire; fr. L. herba capillaris the maidenhair.] 1. A sirup prepared from the maiden-hair, formerly supposed to have medicinal properties.
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2. Any simple sirup flavored with orange flowers.
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Capillament (?), n. [L. capillamentum, fr. capillus hair: cf. F. capillament.] 1. (Bot.) A filament. [R.]
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2. (Anat.) Any villous or hairy covering; a fine fiber or filament, as of the nerves.
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Capillariness (?), n. The quality of being capillary.
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Capillarity (?), n. [Cf. F. capillarité.]
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1. The quality or condition of being capillary.
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2. (Physics) The peculiar action by which the surface of a liquid, where it is in contact with a solid (as in a capillary tube), is elevated or depressed; capillary attraction.
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☞ Capillarity depends upon the relative attaction of the modecules of the liquid for each other and for those of the solid, and is especially observable in capillary tubes, where it determines the ascent or descent of the liquid above or below the level of the liquid which the tube is dipped; -- hence the name.
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Capillary (kăpĭll�r� or kȧpĭllȧr�; 277), a. [L. capillaris, fr. capillus hair. Cf. .] 1. Resembling a hair; fine; minute; very slender; having minute tubes or interspaces; having very small bore; as, the capillary vessels of animals and plants.
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2. Pertaining to capillary tubes or vessels; as, capillary action.
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Coloq. Capillary attraction , Coloq. Capillary repulsion , the apparent attraction or repulsion between a solid and liquid caused by capillarity. See , and . -- Coloq. Capillarity tubes . See the under .

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Capillary, n.; pl. (�). 1. A tube or vessel, extremely fine or minute.
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2. (Anat.) A minute, thin-walled vessel; particularly one of the smallest blood vessels connecting arteries and veins, but used also for the smallest lymphatic and biliary vessels.
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Capillation (?), n. [L. capillatio the hair.] A capillary blood vessel. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
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Capillature (?), n. [L. capillatura.] A bush of hair; frizzing of the hair. Clarke.
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Capilliform (?), a. [L. capillus hair + -form.] In the shape or form of, a hair, or of hairs.
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Capillose (?), a. [L. capillosus.] Having much hair; hairy. [R.]
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Capistrate (?), a. [L. capistratus, p. p. of capistrare halter.] (Zoöl.) Hooded; cowled.
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Capital (?), a. [F. capital, L. capitalis capital (in senses 1 & 2), fr. caput head. See , and cf. , n.] 1. Of or pertaining to the head. [Obs.]
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Needs must the Serpent now his capital bruise
Expect with mortal pain. Milton.
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2. Having reference to, or involving, the forfeiture of the head or life; affecting life; punishable with death; as, capital trials; capital punishment.
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Many crimes that are capital among us. Swift.
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To put to death a capital offender. Milton.
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3. First in importance; chief; principal.
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A capital article in religion Atterbury.
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Whatever is capital and essential in Christianity. I. Taylor.
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4. Chief, in a political sense, as being the seat of the general government of a state or nation; as, Washington and Paris are capital cities.
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5. Of first rate quality; excellent; as, a capital speech or song. [Colloq.]
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