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DictionarycapitalDeath penalty
adjective

capital

Involving punishment by death.

The legal historian studies capital punishment in the ancient kingdom.

Etymology
capitLatinhead
+alLatinrelating to

Latin caput means head. Capital in legal use concerned a person’s head or life, giving capital punishment and capital offenses their connection with the death penalty.

More examples

  • The law classified treason as a capital offense.
  • The debate concerns sentencing in capital cases.
  • The court reviews a conviction for a capital crime.

Similar words

death-penalty
Explicitly identifies the punishment rather than other meanings of capital.
criminal
Concerns crimes generally, not only those punishable by death.