caput

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In fact, the word "capital" in the context of punishment was coined to describe execution by decapitation, derived from the Latin word caput, which means "head."

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Definitions (14)

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  1. In anatomy, the head; the head or upper extremity of some part of the body.
  2. An abbreviation of the phrase caput senatus (literally, head of the senate), a council or ruling body in the University of Cambridge, England. Your caputs, and heads of colleges. Lamb, Christ's Hospital.
  3. In Roman law, the standing before the law, or the personal status, of a citizen. A deprivation of liberty or civic rights, or a modification of family relation by adoption, etc., was termed capitis diminutio, which was characterized as maxima, media, or minima, according as it affected the first, second, or third of the elements above named.
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Examples (50)

  • When you recollect that I considered the “Dead Man” (from the untoward fate he had hitherto experienced) almost literally as a caput mortuum , you may easily believe that I was most agreeably surprised to hear of the sale. —  Samuel F. B. Morse, His Letters and Journals
  • I have waited till half-past one o'clock, but as the caput confusum has not come, I know nothing of what is likely to happen. —  Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826
  • Clearly the Latin "caput" for head is the root of the word but my recollection is that the imagery comes from a head of cattle. —  Kruse Kronicle
  • I love this one .. 401k-put (caput) .. definitely the out come of choosing Obama .. as benefits will go away, prices will go up .. and this country will be destroyed! —  Pirates! Man Your Women!
  • In fact, the word "capital" in the context of punishment was coined to describe execution by decapitation, derived from the Latin word caput, which means "head." —  Original Signal - Transmitting Buzz
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Words tagged caput

MEMORABLE · PEUGEOT · INNOCENT · WHITEHAVEN · MARCUS · CONRAD · AUTONOMIST · BASE · TELEPROMPTER · AFFORD · EXTRATERRESTRIAL

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Etymologies (1)

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. Latin, the head, prob. = Anglo-Saxon heáfod, English head, q. v. Hence capital, capital, etc., captain, chief, chieftain, chef, chieve, achieve, etc.
 

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