capitulate

Where does the word "capitulate" come from? It comes from Latin caput, passing through Latin and Medieval Latin before entering English (1570s).

Capitulate’s story begins in Latin: caput meant “head.” Head, giving rise to capitulum (a small heading, chapter). Within Latin, it grew into capitulum by ancient. A small heading, a chapter, from caput. From there it passed into Medieval Latin as capitulare by medieval. Terms of surrender were drawn up in numbered chapters or articles. It reached English by 1570s as capitulate. Settled as the English word for surrendering on agreed terms, or giving up resistance. Today, capitulate means to stop resisting and accept the demands of an opponent.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient caput "head", head, giving rise to capitulum (a small heading, chapter).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient capitulum "a small heading, a chapter", a small heading, a chapter, from caput.
3. Stage 3 · Medieval Latin · medieval capitulare "to draw up terms under headings, to negotiate surrender", terms of surrender were drawn up in numbered chapters or articles.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1570s capitulate "to surrender on agreed terms, or to give up resistance", settled as the English word for surrendering on agreed terms, or giving up resistance.