decapitalize

English

Alternative forms

• decapitalise

Etymology

de- +‎ capitalize

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /diːˈkæpɪtəlaɪz/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• Hyphenation: de‧cap‧i‧tal‧ize

Verb

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

• uncapitalize

See also

• decriminalize