n.
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin capitalis, from capit-, caput
Date: 14th century
1 of a letter : of or conforming to the series A, B, C, etc. rather than a, b, c, etc.
2 a : punishable by death <a capital crime> b : involving execution < capital punishment> c : most serious <a capital error>
3 a : chief in importance or influence < capital ships> <the capital importance of criticism in the work of creation itself ― T. S. Eliot> b : being the seat of government
4 : of or relating to capital especially : relating to or being assets that add to the long-term net worth of a corporation < capital improvements>
5 : EXCELLENT <a capital book>
– with a capital
― used with a following capital letter to emphasize or qualify a preceding word <not an accident but murder with a capital M> <desired romance with a capital R>