Capitol
/ˈkæpɪtəl/noun
A building or complex that houses a legislature, especially the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Did you know?The name ultimately comes from the Capitoline Hill in Rome, which ancient writers linked to a legendary buried human head (Latin caput, “head”), making political power feel almost mythic from the start.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Rome
Latin
Capitōlium
“The Capitoline Hill and its great temple complex in Rome”
Classical Latin
Latin
caput
“Head”
Late Latin / Roman tradition
Latin
Capitōlium
“A name associated with the hill, possibly from caput (“head”) because a human head was said to have been found there”
Middle English
English
capitol
“A building associated with government or state authority, influenced by the Roman model”
Modern English
English
capitol
“A state legislature building, especially the U.S. Capitol”