Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “capitation” come from?

Capitation derives from Latin capitationem, from Latin caput, from Proto-Indo-European kauput- meaning "head," ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European kapōlo.

capitation (English): Performing a headcount; the counting of people; A...

Definitions

  1. Performing a headcount; the counting of people; A...

Ancestry of “capitation”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latincapitatioheadcount
2Latin-ātiō—
3Latin-tiō—
4Latindissertātiō—
5Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
6Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
7Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
8Latincalceusshoe
9Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
10Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →