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capital

Definition

  • noun: the uppermost member of a column or pilaster crowning the shaft and taking the weight of the entablature
  • noun: money, property, etc., that is used to start or operate a business
  • adjective: in the form A, B, C, etc., rather than a, b, c
  • sometimes used figuratively
  • synonyms: controlling, leading, prominent

Examples

  • She's been accused of trying to 'make capital out of' the tragedy. [=of trying to use the tragedy to her advantage; of trying to benefit from the tragedy]

  • Homicide that occurs during the course of an attempted kidnapping is a 'capital' crime in some states.

  • Stock sales resulted in millions of dollars in 'capital gains' for the company.

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) Hello. Hello. Anybody home? Think, McFly, think! Your old man? Mr. Loser? - What? - That's right. Loser with a capital L. Look, I happen to know George McFly is... I'm not talking about George McFly. I'm talking about his kid. Your old man, Marty McFly Sr.? The man who took his life (..)
    1989 Back to the Future Part II