capitular: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical, Historical
Quick answer
What does “capitular” mean?
Relating to a chapter, especially of a cathedral or a religious order.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to a chapter, especially of a cathedral or a religious order; also, to surrender or agree to terms.
Pertaining to the governing body (chapter) of a cathedral or religious institution; in historical/legal contexts, to come to terms or surrender under specified conditions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is equally rare in both varieties. The adjectival sense is slightly more likely in UK contexts due to the presence of Anglican cathedral chapters. The verbal sense is archaic in both.
Connotations
In both, carries connotations of high formality, ecclesiastical authority, or historical legal proceedings.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general corpora. Higher frequency in specialized texts on church history, architecture, or medieval law.
Grammar
How to Use “capitular” in a Sentence
[Adj] + noun (e.g., capitular library)[Verb: capitulate] + (to + NP) (archaic verbal form)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “capitular” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The garrison was forced to capitular on honourable terms.
American English
- The defeated general agreed to capitular under the proposed conditions.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable
American English
- Not applicable
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in history, theology, and architectural studies to describe cathedral governance or specific buildings/spaces.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be encountered or used.
Technical
Core usage in ecclesiastical law and architecture (e.g., 'the east range housed the capitular hall').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “capitular”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “capitular”
- Using it as a fancy synonym for 'capital' or 'main'.
- Using the verb form in modern contexts instead of 'capitulate'.
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈkæpɪtjʊlə/ (like 'capital').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, distantly. Both come from Latin 'caput' (head). 'Capital' relates to the head or top (city, letter, wealth), while 'capitular' relates to a chapter (a heading or division), especially of a religious body.
While historically it functioned as a verb synonymous with 'capitulate', this usage is now archaic. In modern English, use 'capitulate' for the verb meaning 'to surrender'.
Primarily in academic texts on European church history, cathedral architecture, or medieval law. You are unlikely to encounter it in news, fiction, or everyday conversation.
'Chapter' is the common noun for the division of a book or the governing body of a religious institution. 'Capitular' is the specific adjective describing things pertaining to that governing body (e.g., capitular seal, capitular duties).
Relating to a chapter, especially of a cathedral or a religious order.
Capitular is usually formal, technical, historical in register.
Capitular: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈpɪtʃʊlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈpɪtʃələr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None common”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CAPITULAR and CHAPTER sharing the same root (Latin 'caput' for head). A capitular body is the head chapter of a cathedral.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNANCE IS A HEAD (from 'caput'); SURRENDER IS A CONTRACT (from the verb sense of agreeing to terms).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'capitular' most appropriately used?