capitulate Meaning, Definition & Usage

Ca*pit"u*late intransitive verb

Etymology

LL. capitulatus, p. p. of capitulare to capitulate: cf. F. capituler. See Capitular, n.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Capitulated; present participle & verbal noun Capitulating

Definitions

1. To settle or draw up the heads or terms of an agreement, as in chapters or articles; to agree. Obs.

   There capitulates with the king . . . to take to wife his daughter Mary. Heylin.

   There is no reason why the reducing of any agreement to certain heads or capitula should not be called to capitulate. Trench.

2. To surrender on terms agreed upon (usually, drawn up under several heads); as, an army or a garrison capitulates.

   The Irish, after holding out a week, capitulated. Macaulay.

Ca*pit"u*late transitive verb

Definitions

1. To surrender or transfer, as an army or a fortress, on certain conditions. R.