Caps Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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caps

[kรฆps ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

written

Letters of the alphabet that are written in uppercase (capital) form.

Synonyms

capital letters, uppercase letters.

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Word Description / Examples
caps

Short for 'capital letters' and often used in informal and spoken language. It can also be used in instructions where brevity is important.

  • The filename should be in all caps.
  • Check if the document title is in caps.
capital letters

Used in general and educational contexts to refer to uppercase letters. It is a neutral term and suitable for both formal and informal communication.

  • Always start a sentence with a capital letter.
  • Her name is written in capital letters on the plaque.
uppercase letters

Often used in technical, graphic design, and typographical contexts. It is a precise term that specifies the larger version of letters and is suitable for formal documentation and detailed explanations.

  • This font looks better when you use uppercase letters for headings.
  • Please enter your password in uppercase letters.

Examples of usage

  • Please write your name in all caps on the form.
  • The headline was in caps to grab attention.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Fashion

  • Caps, like baseball caps, became popular in the 19th century as part of American sportswear.
  • The 'flat cap' was originally popular among working-class British men, symbolizing a connection to rural life.

Technology

  • In computer terminology, 'caps' can refer to CAPTCHAs, which are tests used to determine whether a user is a human.
  • The phrase 'CAPS LOCK' on keyboards indicates when letters are typed in uppercase, commonly used for emphasis.

Sports

  • In sports, a 'cap' often signifies an appearance in a game, especially in soccer, where players earn caps for representing their country.
  • The England national football team has caps awarded since the late 19th century to celebrate players' international matches.

Science

  • In medicine, 'caps' can refer to capsules, which are used to hold medicines in a form thatโ€™s easy to swallow.
  • Caps are also the upper part of fungi, like mushrooms, which play a key role in reproduction and spore distribution.

Origin of 'caps'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'cap' comes from the Latin word 'cappa,' which means 'hood' or 'covering.'
  • In Old English, 'cรฆppe' was also used to refer to a type of head covering.

The term 'caps' originated from the Latin word 'capitฤlis', which means 'of the head' or 'chief'. It was first used in English to refer to capital letters in the 18th century. Over time, 'caps' became a common abbreviation for uppercase letters, especially in the context of writing and printing.


See also: cap, capable, capacity, cape, caplet, capstone, recap.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,133 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.