capitulate

Definition

To surrender on stipulated terms, end all resistance, give up, go along with or comply.

Etymology

The adjective is first attested in 1528, the verb in 1537; borrowed from Medieval Latin capitulātus perfect passive participle of Medieval Latin capitulō (“(originally; of a book, text) to draw up under distinct headings; (from the 15ᵗʰ c.) to bargain, parley, convene”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from capitulum (“heading, chapter, title”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix), diminutive of caput (“head”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kap-. Common participial usage of the adjective up until Early Modern English.

Example Sentences

• "He argued and hollered for so long that I finally capitulated just to make him stop."
• "The Irish, after holding out a week, capitulated."
• "The CCP has refused to capitulate to Trump’s demands to come to the table and renegotiate their terms of trade."