Lesson 47: CAPIT / CIPIT
The Root
CAPIT and CIPIT come from Latin caput/capitis, meaning "head."
When you see these roots in a word, think about the head—the physical body part, a leader or chief, or something of first importance.
Word List
| Word | Parts | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| capital | CAPIT (head) + -AL (relating to) | a chief city; wealth; relating to the head |
| capitol | CAPIT (head) + -OL | a building where lawmakers meet |
| captain | CAPIT (head) + -AIN (variant suffix) | a leader or chief; head of a team or ship |
| capitalism | CAPIT (head) + -AL (relating to) | an economic system where capital is privately owned |
| capitalize | CAPIT (head) + -AL (relating to) | to use for advantage; to write with capital letters |
| decapitate | DE- (off, away) + CAPIT (head) + -ATE | to cut off the head |
| per capita | PER (by, through) + CAPIT (head) + -A | per head; per person |
| recapitulate | RE- (again) + CAPIT (head) + -ULATE | to summarize the main points; to go through the heads again |
| precipice | PRE- (before, forward) + CAPIT/CIP (head) + -ICE | a steep cliff; the head jutting forward |
| precipitate | PRE- (before) + CIPIT (head) + -ATE | to cause suddenly; to throw headfirst |
| chapter | CHAPT- (from CAPIT, head) + -ER | a main division; originally a heading |
| chief | CHIEF (from *caput*, head) | the head or leader |
| cape | CAPE (from *caput*, head) | a headland; also a sleeveless cloak from the shoulders |
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
Choose the word that best completes each sentence.
- The __________ of the team led them to three championships.
a) capital
b) capitol
c) captain
d) capitalism
- Washington, D.C. is the __________ of the United States.
a) capitol
b) capital
c) chapter
d) cape
- Income __________ is a useful economic measure.
a) per capita
b) capitalized
c) precipice
d) recapitulated
- Lawmakers gathered in the __________ building for the vote.
a) capital
b) capitalism
c) capitol
d) captain
- The French Revolution saw many nobles __________.
a) capitalized
b) decapitated
c) precipitated
d) recapitulated
- Let me __________ the main points before we conclude.
a) decapitate
b) precipitate
c) capitalize
d) recapitulate
- The company tried to __________ on growing consumer demand.
a) decapitate
b) capitalize
c) precipitate
d) recapitulate
- The climbers approached the dangerous __________ carefully.
a) chapter
b) capitol
c) precipice
d) capita
- A new __________ of her life began when she moved abroad.
a) capital
b) chapter
c) cape
d) chief
- Her __________ concern was the safety of her children.
a) capital
b) chief
c) capitol
d) cape
- Hasty decisions could __________ an international crisis.
a) capitalize
b) decapitate
c) precipitate
d) recapitulate
- Cape Cod got its name because it __________ out into the Atlantic.
a) decapitates
b) precipitates
c) heads
d) capitalizes
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
Use each word from the word bank exactly once.
Word Bank: capital, capitol, captain, capitalism, capitalize, decapitate, per capita, recapitulate, precipice, precipitate, chapter, chief
The team's __________ spoke at the press conference.
The tourist photographed the Capitol building, then the __________ city.
Under __________, private ownership drives the economy.
Please __________ the proper nouns in your essay.
The income __________ in that country is quite low.
Revolutionary tribunals would __________ the condemned.
This concludes __________ 5 of our textbook.
The company stood on the __________ of bankruptcy.
Let me __________ the main themes of today's lesson.
Reckless actions could __________ a conflict.
Her __________ goal was to finish the project on time.
Lawmakers debated inside the state __________.
Practice 3: Reading Passage
When Maria was named captain of the debate team, she understood the weight of being chief. Every chapter of her high school career had prepared her for this: the capital of responsibility now rested on her shoulders.
Her first task was to recapitulate the team's previous performances. The per capita contribution of each debater mattered—everyone needed to carry their weight. She would capitalize on their strengths and address their weaknesses.
The competition felt like standing on a precipice. One misstep could precipitate disaster. But Maria refused to let fear decapitate her confidence. "Losing our heads won't help," she joked nervously.
At the state capitol, where the championship was held, Maria led by example. When her team wavered, she steadied them. When debates heated up, she kept focus on the chief goal: clear argumentation.
They won. The victory wasn't about capitalism or capital gain—it was about teamwork, about recognizing that every chapter builds toward something larger.
On the bus home, Maria watched the Cape of the coastline recede into fog. A new chapter was beginning. And she was still its captain.
Questions
- Maria was named "captain" of the team. This means:
a) She was the head or leader
b) She was decapitated
c) She earned capital
d) She visited the capitol
- "Every chapter" of her life prepared her. A chapter is:
a) A chief officer
b) A main division or stage
c) A capital city
d) A precipice
- To "recapitulate" means:
a) To decapitate again
b) To summarize the main points
c) To build capital
d) To precipitate conflict
- They felt like standing on a "precipice." This means:
a) A safe platform
b) A steep cliff; the edge of danger
c) A capitol building
d) A chapter heading
- Maria refused to let fear "decapitate her confidence." This means:
a) She let fear cut off her confidence
b) She wouldn't let fear destroy her confidence
c) She capitalized on fear
d) She visited a cape
Answer Key
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
- c
- b
- a
- c
- b
- d
- b
- c
- b
- b
- c
- c
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
- captain
- capital
- capitalism
- capitalize
- per capita
- decapitate
- chapter
- precipice
- recapitulate
- precipitate
- chief
- capitol
Reading Passage Questions
- a
- b
- b
- b
- b