Capital
King James Dictionary [1]
Capital, a.
1. Literally, pertaining to the head as a capital bruise, in Milton, a bruise on the head. 2. Figuratively, as the head is the highest part of a man, chief principal first in importance as a capital city or town the capital articles of religion. 3. Punishable by loss of the head or of life incurring the forfeiture of life punishable with death as, treason and murder are capital offenses or crimes. 4. Taking away life, as a capital punishment or affecting life, as a capital trial. 5. Great, important, though perhaps not chief as, a town possesses capital advantages for trade. 6. Large of great size as capital letters, which are of different form, and larger than common letters.
Capital stock, is the sum of money or stock which a merchant, banker or manufacturer employs in his business either the original stock, or that stock augmented. Also, the sum of money or stock which each partner contributes to the joint fund or stock of the partnership also, the common fund or stock of the company, whether incorporated or not.
A capital city or town is the metropolis or chief city of an empire, kingdom, state or province. The application of the epithet indicates the city to be the largest, or to be the seat of government, or both. In many instances, the capital, that is, the largest city, is not the seat of government.
Capital, n. The uppermost part of a column, pillar or pilaster, serving as the head or crowning, and placed immediately over the shaft, and under the entablature.
By the customary omission of the noun, to which the adjective, capital, refers, it stand for,
1. The chief city or town in a kingdom or state a metropolis. 2. A large letter or type, in printing. 3. A stock in trade, in manufactures, or in any business requiring the expenditure of money with a view to profit.
Webster's Dictionary [2]
(1): (a.) See Capital letter, under Capital, a.
(2): (a.) Anything which can be used to increase one's power or influence.
(3): (a.) A chapter, or section, of a book.
(4): (n.) Having reference to, or involving, the forfeiture of the head or life; affecting life; punishable with death; as, capital trials; capital punishment.
(5): (n.) Of or pertaining to the head.
(6): (a.) An imaginary line dividing a bastion, ravelin, or other work, into two equal parts.
(7): (n.) First in importance; chief; principal.
(8): (n.) 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.
(9): (n.) Of first rate quality; excellent; as, a capital speech or song.
(10): (n.) The head or uppermost member of a column, pilaster, etc. It consists generally of three parts, abacus, bell (or vase), and necking. See these terms, and Column.
(11): (n.) The seat of government; the chief city or town in a country; a metropolis.
(12): (n.) Money, property, or stock employed in trade, manufactures, etc.; the sum invested or lent, as distinguished from the income or interest. See Capital stock, under Capital, a.
(13): (a.) That portion of the produce of industry, which may be directly employed either to support human beings or to assist in production.
