capitulate
kuh-PICH-uh-layt
/kəˈpɪtʃuleɪt/
To surrender under agreed conditions; to give up all resistance.
Implies a formal surrender, often after negotiation or a long struggle, where terms are drawn up.
The story behind the word. From Medieval Latin capitulare (to draw up in chapters), from capitulum (a little head, chapter), because surrender terms were written down chapter by chapter.
Word relationships
- surrender: Surrender is general, while capitulate implies formal terms of surrender.
- resist: Resist is to fight back, whereas capitulate is to stop fighting and give up.
Commonly confused with
- compromise: Compromise is a mutual concession, while capitulate is a complete surrender.
Word family
- capitulation (noun): The action of surrendering or yielding.
- capitulator (noun): One who capitulates.
Collocations
- forced to capitulate
- capitulate to demands
- unconditional capitulation
Example sentences
- "The garrison was forced to capitulate after a long siege." A historical description of a military surrender.
Memory hook
Think of a defeated general signing a treaty with a cap on his head, agreeing to the chapters of surrender. Capitulate = Draw up chapters of surrender.
When not to use
Do not use for minor everyday compromises; use give in or compromise instead.
Fun facts
- Capitulate shares a root with capital and captain, all coming from the Latin word for head.
Explore more words
concede, appease, back down, concession, appeasement, compromise
Also appears in
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