1860, "act of converting (assets) to capital," noun of action from capitalize in the financial sense. The meaning "act of writing or printing in capital letters" is recorded from 1847, from the writing sense.

also c.p.u., by 1970, abbreviation of central processing unit.

"African," 1580s, from Latin Africus (see Africa). Also sometimes used as a noun.

North Korean capital, from Korean p'yong "flat" + yang "land."

Nepalese capital, from Nepalese Kathmandu, from kath "wooden" + mandu "temple."

also Meso-America, cultural or economic region comprising central and southern Mexico and northern Central America, by 1948, from Spanish Mesoamérica (by 1943); see meso- "middle" + America. Related: Mesoamerican.

1704, of a letter, "capital;" 1738 as a noun, "a capital letter," from French majuscule (16c.), from Latin maiuscula (littera), fem. of maiusculus "somewhat larger, somewhat greater," diminutive of maior (see major (adj.)).

mountain range in central Europe, late 14c.; see Alp.

Lebanese capital, from Hebrew, literally "the wells," from be'erot, plural of be'er "well."

"in a medial or central position," 1804, from medial (adj.) + -ly (2).