- capital
- early 13c., from L. capitalis "of the head," from caput (gen. capitis) "head" (see head). A capital crime (1520s) is one that affects the life, or the "head." The noun meaning "capital city" is first recorded 1660s (the O.E. word was heafodstol); meaning "a capital letter" is recorded from 1640s. The financial sense (1620s) is from L.L. capitale "stock, property," neut. of capitalis. Of ships, "first-rate, of the line," attested from 1650s. Capital gain is recorded from 1921. Capital goods is recorded from 1899. Capital punishment was in Blackstone (1765).