Capitulating - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Verb}

surrendering terms

To capitulate means to cease resisting an opponent or an unwelcome demand; to surrender. It often refers to the act of yielding under certain conditions or terms, particularly in a conflict or negotiation. The term is commonly used in military contexts to describe when forces surrender to their adversaries. Additionally, capitulating can also apply to any context where one gives in or acquiesces to a demand or pressure.

Synonyms

submit, succumb, surrender, yield.

Examples of usage

The army was forced to capitulate after weeks of fighting.
After several negotiations, the company finally capitulated to the union's demands.
He capitulated to the pressure from his peers and changed his decision.

Interesting Facts

Historical Context

Significant historical treaties often involved one side capitulating, such as the end of World War I when Germany signed the Armistice.
Capitulation was a common practice in medieval warfare, where cities would negotiate terms for surrender rather than face destruction.
In the Cold War, various nations capitulated to ideological pressures, showing the word's use in political discourse.

Psychology

Capitulating can be linked to the concept of learned helplessness, where an individual stops trying after repeated failures.
In relationships, capitulating sometimes reflects a strategy to maintain peace rather than escalate conflict.
It is often seen in negotiation theories, where one party may capitulate to achieve a greater long-term benefit.

Pop Culture

In movies and literature, characters often capitulate at crucial moments, illustrating the tension between fighting and surrendering.
Famous phrases like 'I surrender!' in various forms of media symbolize capitulating emotionally or physically.
Video games frequently depict characters having to capitulate in the narrative, emphasizing themes of defeat or growth.

Literature

In classic literature, characters often face the choice to capitulate, reflecting human struggles and moral dilemmas.
Many authors use capitulation as a theme to explore personal transformation or societal pressures.
Shakespeare's plays often involve characters who capitulate, highlighting the tension between honor and survival.

Origin of 'capitulating'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'capitulare', meaning to draw up in chapters, which later evolved to mean giving in.
It has roots in military terms from the early 16th century, when armies would surrender by giving up their conditions.
The transition from a formal term to its current use in various contexts shows how language evolves in social and political settings.

The word 'capitulate' comes from the Latin 'capitulat' which means 'to draw up in heads or chapters'. The root 'captula' refers to a heading or a principal part of a written document. The term evolved in the late Middle Ages into its current English form, signifying the act of surrendering with specific terms or conditions. Originally used in legal contexts, the term gradually gained military connotations as it became associated with the surrendering of troops. By the 17th century, it was commonly used in English to describe situations where individuals, groups, or entities give in to a stronger force or pressure.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,817, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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36814 gamesmanship
36815 mocker
36816 unfastening
36817 capitulating
36818 untreatable
36819 unquantifiable
36820 onomatopoeic
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Capitulating Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations