Caput
/ˈkæpʊt/noun
The Latin word for 'head'.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, the head was considered the seat of power and authority, leading to the term 'caput' being used in legal contexts to denote a person's status or worth.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kaput
“to seize or take, often associated with the head as the chief part of the body.”
Latin
Latin
caput
“head or leader; also used in legal and administrative contexts.”
Old French
Old French
caput
“head, chief, or principal part.”
Middle English
Middle English
capit
“head, chief; used in a similar sense as in Latin.”
Modern English
English
capital
“referring to the head or principal city, as well as wealth or resources.”