The Difference (1 of 2)
Even though I'm a reasonably good writer (phenomenally good by some accounts), I like to learn new things about language so that I can get better and better. The other day, I looked up the difference between "capital" and "capitol," just to make sure that I was consistently using it them both in correct ways. At some point soon, I'll be doing a similar post comparing "principle" and "principal." After the words, enjoy a video that even Father Time should appreciate. Have a great weekend, folks!
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cap·i·tal /'kæp?tl/ [kap-i-tl]
–noun 1. the city or town that is the official seat of government in a country, state, etc.: Tokyo is the capital of Japan.
2. a city regarded as being of special eminence in some field of activity: New York is the dance capital of the world.
3. capital letter.
4. the wealth, whether in money or property, owned or employed in business by an individual, firm, corporation, etc.
5. an accumulated stock of such wealth.
6. any form of wealth employed or capable of being employed in the production of more wealth.
7. Accounting.
* a. assets remaining after deduction of liabilities; the net worth of a business.
* b. the ownership interest in a business.
8. any source of profit, advantage, power, etc.; asset: His indefatigable drive is his greatest capital.
9. capitalists as a group or class (distinguished from labor ): High taxation has reduced the spending power of capital.
–adjective 10. pertaining to financial capital: capital stock.
11. principal; highly important: This guide offers suggestions of capital interest to travelers.
12. chief, esp. as being the official seat of government of a country, state, etc.: the capital city of France.
13. excellent or first-rate: a capital hotel; a capital fellow.
14. capital letter.
15. involving the loss of life: capital punishment.
16. punishable by death: a capital crime; a capital offender.
17. fatal; extremely serious: a capital error.
Origin:
1175–1225; ME; (adj.) (< AF) < L capitalis of the head (capit-, s. of caput head, + -alis -al 1 ); (n.) < ML capitale wealth, n. use of neut. of capitalis (adj.)
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Cap·i·tol /'kæp?tl/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kap-i-tl] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. the building in Washington, D.C., used by the Congress of the U.S. for its sessions.
2. (often lowercase) a building occupied by a state legislature.
3. the ancient temple of Jupiter at Rome, on the Capitoline.
4. the Capitoline.
Origin:
1690–1700, Americanism; L capitolium temple of Jupiter on Capitoline hill, Rome, taken to be a derivative of caput head; r. ME capitolie.
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cap·i·tal /'kæp?tl/ [kap-i-tl]
–noun 1. the city or town that is the official seat of government in a country, state, etc.: Tokyo is the capital of Japan.
2. a city regarded as being of special eminence in some field of activity: New York is the dance capital of the world.
3. capital letter.
4. the wealth, whether in money or property, owned or employed in business by an individual, firm, corporation, etc.
5. an accumulated stock of such wealth.
6. any form of wealth employed or capable of being employed in the production of more wealth.
7. Accounting.
* a. assets remaining after deduction of liabilities; the net worth of a business.
* b. the ownership interest in a business.
8. any source of profit, advantage, power, etc.; asset: His indefatigable drive is his greatest capital.
9. capitalists as a group or class (distinguished from labor ): High taxation has reduced the spending power of capital.
–adjective 10. pertaining to financial capital: capital stock.
11. principal; highly important: This guide offers suggestions of capital interest to travelers.
12. chief, esp. as being the official seat of government of a country, state, etc.: the capital city of France.
13. excellent or first-rate: a capital hotel; a capital fellow.
14. capital letter.
15. involving the loss of life: capital punishment.
16. punishable by death: a capital crime; a capital offender.
17. fatal; extremely serious: a capital error.
Origin:
1175–1225; ME; (adj.) (< AF) < L capitalis of the head (capit-, s. of caput head, + -alis -al 1 ); (n.) < ML capitale wealth, n. use of neut. of capitalis (adj.)
Cap·i·tol /'kæp?tl/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kap-i-tl] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. the building in Washington, D.C., used by the Congress of the U.S. for its sessions.
2. (often lowercase) a building occupied by a state legislature.
3. the ancient temple of Jupiter at Rome, on the Capitoline.
4. the Capitoline.
Origin:
1690–1700, Americanism; L capitolium temple of Jupiter on Capitoline hill, Rome, taken to be a derivative of caput head; r. ME capitolie.
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