English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

de- +‎ capitalize

Pronunciation edit

  • (UK) IPA(key): /diːˈkæpɪtəlaɪz/
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: de‧cap‧i‧tal‧ize

Verb edit

decapitalize (third-person singular simple present decapitalizes, present participle decapitalizing, simple past and past participle decapitalized)

  1. (transitive) To uncapitalize (convert the first letter (or more) of (something) from uppercase to lowercase)
  2. (transitive, finance) To convert a capital value, typically into a rental
  3. (transitive, law) To remove (something's) status as a capital crime; to cause (something) to no longer be a capital crime.
    • 2009, Stuart Banner, The Death Penalty: an American history, page 131:
      In 1801 Connecticut decapitalized arson, but only where no victim's life had been placed in danger.

Synonyms edit

See also edit