capital

n.
  1. (Arch.) The head or uppermost member of a column, pilaster, etc. It consists generally of three parts, abacus, bell (or vase), and necking. See these terms, and Column.
  2. (Geog.) The seat of government; the chief city or town in a country; a metropolis.
  3. Money, property, or stock employed in trade, manufactures, etc.; the sum invested or lent, as distinguished from the income or interest. See Capital stock, under Capital, a.
  4. (Polit. Econ.) That portion of the produce of industry, which may be directly employed either to support human beings or to assist in production.
  5. Anything which can be used to increase one's power or influence.
  6. (Fort.) An imaginary line dividing a bastion, ravelin, or other work, into two equal parts.
  7. A chapter, or section, of a book.
  8. (Print.) See Capital letter, under Capital, a.
    9. Active capital .
    See under Active,
    Small capital (Print.),
    a small capital letter; informally referred to (in the plural) as small caps; as, the technical terms are listed in small caps. See under Capital, a.
    To live on one's capital ,
    to consume one's capital without producing or accumulating anything to replace it.