of or pertaining to the head.-having reference to, or involving, the forfeiture of the head or life; affecting life; punishable with death; as, capital trials; capital punishment.-first in importance; chief; principal.-chief, in a political sense, as being the seat of the general government of a state or nation; as, washington and paris are capital cities.-of first rate quality; excellent; as, a capital speech or song.-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.-the seat of government; the chief city or town in a country; a metropolis.-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.-that portion of the produce of industry, which may be directly employed either to support human beings or to assist in production.-anything which can be used to increase one's power or influence.-an imaginary line dividing a bastion, ravelin, or other work, into two equal parts.-a chapter, or section, of a book.-see capital letter, under capital, a.