cap

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Capped p. pr. & vb. n. Capping. ] 1. To cover with a cap, or as with a cap; to provide with a cap or cover; to cover the top or end of; to place a cap upon the proper part of; as, to cap a post; to cap a gun. [ 1913 Webster ]

The bones next the joint are capped with a smooth cartilaginous substance. Derham. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To deprive of cap. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To complete; to crown; to bring to the highest point or consummation; as, to cap the climax of absurdity. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To salute by removing the cap. [ Slang. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Tom . . . capped the proctor with the profoundest of bows. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To match; to mate in contest; to furnish a complement to; as, to cap text; to cap proverbs. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Now I have him under girdle I'll cap verses with him to the end of the chapter. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In capping verses, when one quotes a verse another must cap it by quoting one beginning with the last letter of the first letter, or with the first letter of the last word, or ending with a rhyming word, or by applying any other arbitrary rule may be agreed upon. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To uncover the head respectfully. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Capabilities 1. The quality of being capable; capacity; capableness; esp. intellectual power or ability. [ 1913 Webster ]

A capability to take a thousand views of a subject. H. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Capacity of being used or improved. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. capable, LL. capabilis capacious, capable, fr. L. caper to take, contain. See Heave. ] 1. Possessing ability, qualification, or susceptibility; having capacity; of sufficient size or strength; as, a room capable of holding a large number; a castle capable of resisting a long assault. [ 1913 Webster ]

Concious of joy and capable of pain. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Possessing adequate power; qualified; able; fully competent; as, a capable instructor; a capable judge; a mind capable of nice investigations. [ 1913 Webster ]

More capable to discourse of battles than to give them. Motley. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Possessing legal power or capacity; as, a man capable of making a contract, or a will. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Capacious; large; comprehensive. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Capable is usually followed by of, sometimes by an infinitive.

Syn. -- Able; competent; qualified; fitted; efficient; effective; skillful. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being capable; capability; adequateness; competency. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. (Biol.) to become active so as to be able to penetrate an ovum; -- of sperm, in the female reproduction system. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Capacified ] [ L. capax, -acis, capacious + -fy. ] To quality. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The benefice he is capacified and designed for. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. capax, -acis, fr. capere to take. See Heave. ] 1. Having capacity; able to contain much; large; roomy; spacious; extended; broad; as, a capacious vessel, room, bay, or harbor. [ 1913 Webster ]

In the capacious recesses of his mind. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Able or qualified to make large views of things, as in obtaining knowledge or forming designs; comprehensive; liberal. “A capacious mind.” Watts. [ 1913 Webster ]