-alis

of, relating to

Forms

-alis
-aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
-al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
-ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

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noun

capital

KAP-uh-tl/ˈkæpɪtl/

A city where a government is based.

Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States.

A compact elevated city vignette of Washington, D.C., showing the U.S.

Etymology

capitLatinhead

+alLatinof, relating to

Latin “of the head” also meant “chief” or “first.” A capital is thus the chief city in the governmental sense: the official seat of government.

In context

Hey! Guess What0:27

the home of the government isn't found in a state at all it's in a separate district called the District of Columbia which is the United States of America's capital or better known as Washington DC

Washington DC | Capital Of The United States | Facts For Kids

More examples

Sacramento is California's capital, but Los Angeles is its largest city.
Protesters gather in the capital to demand new elections.
The students locate all fifty state capitals on a map.

Forms

capital · capitals

capitol noun — A building where a legislature meets.

Similar words

seat of government: Emphasizes where governing authorities work, rather than the city itself.
administrative center: Can house regional or organizational offices without capital status.