verb
capitulate
kuh-PICH-uh-layt/kəˈpɪtʃuleɪt/
To stop resisting and give in under pressure.
The chess player capitulates by laying her king on its side.
Etymology
A capitulum was a heading, literally a “little head.” Capitulate first meant drawing up terms under headings; its frequent use for surrender agreements led to the meaning “give in.”
In context
when the law firms capitulated that the ones who didn't capitulate and fought back, they won those cases
More examples
- He finally capitulated to the committee’s demands.
- The company capitulated after weeks of pressure.
- She would negotiate but would not simply capitulate.
Forms
capitulate · capitulates · capitulated · capitulating
capitulation noun — the act of giving in