• CAP
n. 1. a1000 obs. – a cloak with a hood; a cape
n. 2. 1519 obs. – a closed wooden vessel; a cask
n. 3. 1851 sl. – the proceeds of an improvised collection
n. 4. Bk1891 thieves’ sl. obs. – a false cover to a tossing coin, called a ‘cover-down’; the cap showed either head or tail as it was left on or taken off
n. 5. M19 sl., orig. & chiefly US – captain
n. 6. M19 US sl. – a bullet, a shot
n. 7. L19 US criminals’ sl. – the act of ensnaring a victim into a confidence game
n. 8. 1905 Amer. dial. – the green leaves at the top of a berry, usually a strawberry
n. 9. 1920s drug culture sl. sl. – a capsule containing a narcotic, usually heroin
n. 10. 1940s sl., orig. US African-American – a rejoinder
n. 11. 1946 Amer. dial. – a kernel of popcorn
n. 12. 1950s African-American sl. – the mind
n. 13. 1960s sl., orig. US African-American – an insult aimed at someone’s family; used as part of a ritualized interchange
n. 14. 1960s African-American sl. – the mouth, esp. as used in oral-genital sex
n. 15. 1960s drug culture sl. – a capsule of LSD
n. 16. 1970 Amer. dial. – a whitecap (wave)
n. 17. 1980s drug culture sl. – crack cocaine
n. 18. 1990s African-American sl. – the top of the head, the cranium
n. 19. 1990s US prison sl. – a measure of marijuana, as much as can be fitted into a small cap, as of a toothpaste tube or a container of chapstick
vb. 1. 1589 obs. – to arrest for debt
vb. 2. 1593 school & university sl. – to take off or touch one’s hat in salutation
vb. 3. L17 UK criminals’ sl. – to swear an oath
vb. 4. Bk1785 thieves’ sl. – to stand by a friend; to take part in an undertaking; to lend a hand
vb. 5. 1811 UK sl. – to assist in a fraudulent scheme by fast talk that helps lure the victim into the swindle
vb. 6. 1848 Amer. dial. – to surpass, to outdo, to excel
vb. 7. Bk1888 Sc. – to seize by violence, to lay hold of what is not one’s own
vb. 8. 1895 Amer. dial. – to take the hull off a strawberry
vb. 9. Bk1899 Amer. dial. – to puzzle
vb. 10. E19 US criminals’ sl. – to give satisfaction
vb. 11. E19 sl. – to act as a confederate in a gambling game
vb. 12. M19 UK criminals’ sl. – to take; to grab hold of
vb. 13. 1936 Amer. dial. – to pop corn
vb. 14. 1940s drug culture sl. – to transfer bulk drugs (in powder form) into capsules for sale
vb. 15. 1944 teen & high school sl. – to put down; to insult
vb. 16. 1950s drug culture sl. – to be given drugs for free
vb. 17. 1970s sl., orig. African-American usage – to fire a gun
vb. 18. 1970s sl. – to shoot a person in the knee or leg as a form of punishment
vb. 19. 1970s sl., orig. African-American usage – to kill, to murder, to shoot dead
vb. 20. 1973 US sl. – to steer business to someone
vb. 21. 1979 UK Royal Air Force sl. – to fly on Combat Air Patrol
vb. 22. 1980 US sl. – in casino gambling: to add to an existing bet, usually illegally
vb. 23. 1990s US college sl. – to punch someone in the face
vb. 24. M20 US drug culture sl. – to buy or use narcotics
• CAPABILITATE
vb. 1780 obs. – to make capable; to indicate the capabilities of
• CAPABILITY
n. 1616 obs. – the quality of having room for anything; ability to receive or contain
• CAPABLE
adj. 1. 1561 obs. – able to perceive or comprehend
adj. 2. 1571 obs. – able to take in, receive, contain, or hold; having room or capacity for
adj. 3. 1592 obs. – comprehensive
adj. 4. 1594 obs. – able to hold much; roomy, capacious
adj. 5. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – drunk
• CAPACE
adj. 1555 obs. – able to take in with the mind or comprehend
• CAPACIFY
vb. a1677 obs. rare – to render capable; to qualify, to fit
• CAP-AMBRY
n. Bk1888 obs. exc. Sc. – a press or cupboard, probably used for holding wooden vessel used at meals
• CAP-AND-BALL LAYOUT
n. 1944 Amer. cowboys’ usage – a shiftless and unprogressive ranch or outfit
• CAP AND BAUBLE
n. 1663 – the insignia of the fool or jester
• CAP AND BELLS
n. 1884 – the insignia of the fool or jester
• CAP AND FEATHER DAYS
n. 1821 – the time of childhood
• CAP AND WAD
n. World War I services’ sl. – tea and a bun in canteen, YMCA, or Church Army hut
• CAP-A-PIE
adv. 1523 – in reference to arming or accoutring: from head to foot
• CAPARISON
n. 1598 – the dress and ornaments of men and women; equipment, outfit
• CAPAX
adj. 1432-50 obs. – of capacity: able and ready to take or receive; capable
• CAP-BANG
vb. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – of a gun: to explode slowly
• CAP-BUSTER
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – a big wave
• CAP-CASE
n. 1. 1577 obs. – a travelling-case, bag, or wallet (representing the later portmanteau or carpet-bag)
n. 2. 1597 obs. – a receptacle of any kind; a box, chest, casket, case
• CAP-CASTLE
n. 1664 obs. – the chief village of a district
• CAPE
vb. 1. 1676 obs. – to take or seize as a privateer; also, to go a privateering
vb. 2. a1802 – to ‘kep’; to catch
• CAPE ANN TURKEY
n. 1844 Amer. dial. – codfish
• CAPE BOY
n. 1896 – in South Africa: a half-breed resulting from the union of a native Black and a White settler
• CAPE BRETON ATTACHE CASE
n. 1980 Can. sl. – a plastic bag
• CAPE COD TURKEY
n. 1865 US Civil War usage – salted cod
• CAPE DOCTOR
n. 1861 S. Afr. – the strong southeasterly wind that blows in Cape Tow over summer
• CAPEESH?
phr. 1977 US sl. – do you understand?
• CAPE FEVER
n. 1830 US nautical sl. – a feigned illness
• CAPE FLY-AWAY
n. 1769 nautical usage – a cloud-bank on the horizon, mistaken for land, which disappears as the ship advances
• CAPE HORN
n. 1. 19C Brit. sl. – the female genitals
n. 2. 1998 UK sl. – a condom
• CAPEL
n. c1290 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – a horse
• CAPELLA
n. 1. Bk1891 theatrical sl. – a coat
n. 2. 1993 sl. – a hat
• CAPELLANE
n. a1661 obs. – one who officiates in a chapel; a chaplain; a keeper of the sacred relics
• CAPELOCRACY
n. 1841 – the shopkeeping class or their interests
• CAPE MAY GOODY
n. 1968 Amer. dial. – an uncomplimentary term for a person who you don’t think much of
• CAPE MERCHANT
n. Bk1899 Amer. dial. – the man who had charge of the general store or warehouse
• CAPE-NIGHTINGALE
n. 1889 sl. – a frog
• CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
n. 1. 19C Brit. sl. – the female genitals
n. 2. 1925 UK rhyming sl. – soap
n. 3. 1994 UK rhyming sl. – the Pope
• CAPEOVI
adj. Bk1891 costers’ sl. – sick; ‘seedy’
• CAPER
n. 1. 1657 obs. exc. hist. – a privateer; the captain of a privateer; a corsair
n. 2. 1759 Sc. obs. – a captor, a seizer
n. 3. 1867 sl. – a criminal undertaking, esp. a swindle or theft
n. 4. 1954 Aust. sl. – that which is going on; an undertaking
n. 5. 2001 UK sl. – the time devoted to pleasure; a hedonistic lifestyle
n. 6. 2001 UK sl. – cocaine
n. 7. 2002 UK sl. – a costume worn for erotic effect
vb. 1976 US sl. – to commit a criminal undertaking, esp. a swindle or theft
• CAPERATE
vb. 1. 1623 obs. – to frown
vb. 2. 1657 obs. – to wrinkle
• CAPERATED
adj. 1657 obs. – wrinkled like a goat’s horn
• CAPER CAR
n. 1981 US sl. – a car used for a crime and then abandoned
• CAPERCLAW
vb. 1589 obs. – to claw or scratch with the open hand and nails; to beat, to thrash
• CAPER-CORNERED
adv. 1941 Amer. dial. – diagonally, across from
• CAPERDEWSIE
n. 1663 obs. – the stocks; prison
• CAPERDOCHY
n. 1600 obs. – the stocks; prison
• CAPERER
n. 1676 obs. – a privateer (person)
• CAPER-JUICE
n. 1888 Amer. sl. – whisky
• CAPER-MERCHANT
n. Bk1785 sl. – a dancing master
• CAPERNOITED
adj. 1. 1719 Sc. – crabbed, irritable, peevish; snappish; ill-natured, fractious
adj. 2. 1719 Sc. – slightly affected in the head by drinking, tipsy; muddle-headed, wrong-headed
• CAPERNOITIE
n. 1819 Sc. – the head
• CAPERNOITY
adj. 1769 Sc. – crabbed, irritable, peevish; slightly affected in the head by drinking, muddle-headed, wrong-headed
• CAPERSOME
adj. 1852 – lively, spirited, sprightly
► CAPER-WITTED adj. flighty, of frivolous or unsteady mind → 1670
• CAPEY
n. 1977 S. Afr. – a person who is part of the non-White, or ‘coloured’ population in South Africa’s Cape province
• CAPFUL OF WIND
n. 1851 Amer. dial. – a light breeze
• CAPIAN
adj. 1731 obs. rare – belonging to the Cape of Good Hope
• CAPIE
n. 1977 S. Afr. – a person who is part of the non-White, or ‘coloured’ population in South Africa’s Cape province
• CAPILLATE
adj. 1881 – furnished with hair
• CAPILLATION
n. 1646 obs. rare – the state or condition of being hairy or hair-like
• CAPILLATURE
n. 1656 obs. rare – a frizzing of the hair; the bush of hair on the head
• CAPILLOSE
adj. 19C rare – having much hair, covered with hair, hairy
• CAPISCE?
phr. 1977 US sl. – do you understand?
• CAPISH
vb. 1965 Amer. dial. – to understand, to comprehend
• CAPISTRATE
vb. 1656 obs. rare – to halter, to muzzle, to tie
• CAP IT
vb. 1593 sl. – to take off or touch one’s hat in salutation (school & university usage)
• CAPITAL
adj. 1. a1225 obs. – pert. to the head or top
adj. 2. 1375 obs. – of an enemy or enmity: deadly, mortal
adj. 3. a1626 obs. – fatal
adj. 4. 2001 US sl. – attractive, good-looking
int. Bk1888 – an exclamation of approval
• CAPITAL H
n. 1975 US sl. – heroin
• CAPITALLY
adv. 1606 – fatally, seriously
• CAPITAL PRIZE
n. 1948 US sl. – a sexually transmitted infection
• CAPITATIVE
adj. 1879 – reckoned by the head; per head
• CAPITELE
n. 1340 obs. – a chapter of a book
• CAPITLE
n. 1. 1340 obs. – a chapter of a book
n. 2. 1382 obs. – a summary
• CAPITOSE
adj. 1. 1881 – having a large head
adj. 2. 1881 – obstinate, headstrong
• CAPKIN
n. 1844 nonce word – a little cap
• CAPLE
n. 1. c1290 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – a horse
n. 2. c1460 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – a hen
• CAPLUMP
adv. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – suddenly
• CAP MAN
n. 1971 US sl. – a confederate in a swindle
• CAP’N CRUNCH
n. 1989 Can. sl. – a captain of a British Columbia provincial ferry who had a spectacular collision
• CAPNOMANCY
n. 1610 – divination by smoke
• CAPO
n. 1952 US sl. – a leader of a Mafia organization
• CAP ON
vb. 1971 US sl. – to look at someone or something
• CAPON
n. 1. 1542 – an idiot, a dull, stupid person; a term of reproach
n. 2. 1588 obs. – a ‘billet-doux’; a love letter
n. 3. 1594 obs. – a eunuch
n. 4. c1640 sl. – a red herring
n. 5. 1945 US sl. – a homosexual male; a pederast; an effeminate male
• CAPON EGG
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – a nonexistent item used to tease a greenhorn
• CAP ONE’S LUCKY
vb. Bk1891 Amer. thieves’ sl. – to run away Amer
• CAP ONE’S SKIN
vb. Bk1891 thieves’ sl. – to strip naked
• CAPOODLE
n. 1848 sl. – all of something; the entire lot of people or things; a large mixed-up collection of objects or people
• CAPOONKLE
adj. 1982 US sl. – confusing, confused
• CAPOOP
n. 20C Amer. dial. – dung
vb. 20C Amer. dial. – to defecate
• CAPOOT
n. 1968 Amer. dial. – a large group of things or people; a crowd; the whole lot
• CAPORAL
n. 1892 Amer. dial. – a foreman on a ranch
• CAP OUT
vb. M20 US drug culture sl. – to pass out from the use of marijuana or drugs
• CAPPADOCHIO
n. 1607 cant – a prison
• CAPPER
n. 1. 1753 US sl. – in a confidence swindle: a person who lures the victim into the swindle
n. 2. 1790 Eng. dial. – a person or thing who beats all others
n. 3. 1853 sl. – a dummy bidder whose function is either to start the bidding, or to run up the price of articles for sale
n. 4. 1871 Amer. thieves’ sl. – a confederate
n. 5. 1871 Amer. thieves’ sl. – at cards: one who makes false bids in order to encourage a genuine player
n. 6. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
n. 7. 1958 US sl. – in a drug-selling enterprise: a person who fills capsules with a drug
• CAPPING
n. 1. 1965 Amer. dial. – the green leaves at the top of a berry, usually a strawberry
n. 2. 1970s sl., orig. African-American – gunfire
• CAPRICCIO
n. 1. 1601 obs. – a sudden change or turn of the mind without apparent or adequate motive; a desire or opinion arbitrarily or fantastically formed; a freak, whim, a mere fancy
n. 2. 1665 – a sudden sportive or fantastic motion; a prank, trick, caper
• CAPRICERVE
n. 1661 obs. rare – the antelope
• CAPRICH
n. 1656 obs. – a sudden change or turn of the mind without apparent or adequate motive; a desire or opinion arbitrarily or fantastically formed; a freak, whim, a mere fancy
• CAPRICIOUS
adj. 1594 obs. – characterized by play of wit or fancy; humorous, fantastic
• CAPRIOLE
n. 1594 – a leap or caper, as in dancing
vb. 1580 – to leap, to skip, to caper; also said of horses and their riders
• CAPRIOUS
adj. 1623 obs. rare – lustful
• CAPRON
n. c1460 obs. – an impudent fellow
• CAPS
n. 1998 UK sl. – heroin
• CAPSE
n. 1447 obs. rare – a coffer, chest
• CAPSHEAF
n. 1815 Amer. dial. – the extreme, the crowning point
• CAPSICUM
n. 1845 Amer. dial. – anger
• CAPSIZAL
n. 1881 – the act of capsizing; an upset
• CAPSIZE
vb. 20C US colloq. – to castrate
• CAPSULA
n. 2003 UK sl. – crack cocaine
• CAPSULE
n. 1652 obs. rare – a little case or receptacle
• CAPSULE CON
n. 1970 US sl. – a prisoner convicted on drug charges
• CAPTABLE
adj. 1649 obs. – liable or open to be caught or taken
• CAPTAIN
adj. 1566 obs. – chief, principal, leading
n. 1. 1598 – a jesting form of address
n. 2. 1731 sl. – a gaming or bawdy house bully
n. 3. 1748 sl. – money
n. 4. 1835 Amer. dial. – a stagecoach driver
n. 5. 1862 Amer. – the conductor or guard of a train
n. 6. 1917 Amer. dial. – one who excels; a leader
n. 7. 1953 Aust. sl. – the person buying the drinks
• THE CAPTAIN
n. Bk1903 sl. – money
• CAPTAIN ARMSTRONG
n. 1864 turf sl. – a dishonest jockey
• CAPTAIN COOK
n. 1932 Aust. rhyming sl. for ‘look’ – a look, a glance
• CAPTAIN COPPERTHORN’S CREW
n. Bk1891 sl. – all officers; said of a company where everyone wants to be first
• CAPTAIN CORK
n. Bk1891 military sl. – a nickname for a man who is slow in passing the bottle
• CAPTAIN CRANK
n. Bk1891 sl. – the chief of a gang of highwaymen
• CAPTAINESS
n. 1465 – a female captain or commander
• CAPTAIN FLASHAM
n. Bk1890 sl. – a blustering, bounceable fellow
• CAPTAIN GRAND
n. Bk1891 sl. – a haughty, blustering fellow
• CAPTAIN GRIMES
n. 20C Brit. rhyming sl. – The Times
• CAPTAIN HACKUM
n. 1600 sl. – a fighting, blustering bully
• THE CAPTAIN IS AT HOME
phr. L18 Brit. colloq. – used to indicate that a woman is menstruating
• THE CAPTAIN IS COME
phr. L18 sl. – menstruation proceeds
• CAPTAIN KETTLE
vb. c1899 rhyming sl. – to settle (vigorously)
• CAPTAIN LIEUTENANT
n. Bk1891 sl. – meat neither young enough for veal, nor old enough for beef
• CAPTAIN QUEERNABS
n. Bk1890 sl. – a shabby, ill-dressed fellow
• CAPTAIN QUIZ
n. Bk1891 sl. – a mocker
• CAPTAIN’S BUTT
n. World War II Amer. army sl. – a cigarette less than half-smoked
• CAPTAIN SHARP
n. Bk1891 sl. – a cheating bully, or one in a set of gamblers whose office it is to bully the ‘pigeon’ who refuses to pay
• CAPTAIN’S MOUTHORGAN
n. World War II Amer. sl. – a company clerk
• CAPTAIN STANDISH
n. 19C Brit. sl. – the erect penis
• CAPTAIN TOM
n. Bk1891 sl. – the head or leader of a mob; also, the mob itself
• CAPTATE
vb. 1628 obs. – to catch at, to strive to obtain, to seek after
• CAPTATION
n. 1523 – a catching at, an endeavour to get
• CAPTE
n. 1542 obs. – capacity, comprehension
• CAP THE CLIMAX
vb. 1894 Amer. dial. – to surpass everything; to exceed all expectations, usually in an unfavourable way; to be the ‘last straw’
• CAP THE STACK
vb. 1859 Amer. dial. – to surpass everything; to exceed all expectations, usually in an unfavourable way
• CAP THE VORTEX
vb. 1907 Amer. dial. – to surpass everything; to exceed all expectations, usually in an unfavourable way; to be the ‘last straw’
• CAPTION
n. 1. 1382 obs. rare – a taking, catching, seizure, capture
n. 2. 1605 obs. – the act of cavilling or taking exception; an objection or cavil; fallacious or captious argument; a quibble, sophism
• CAPTIOUS
adj. 1590 obs. – crafty
• CAPTIVABLE
adj. 1675 obs. rare – that can be taken captive
• CAPTIVANCE
n. 1596 obs. rare – captivation, captivity
• CAPTIVATE
vb. c1555 obs. or arch. – to make captive, to take prisoner; to capture
• CAPTIVATRIX
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – an attractive young woman
• CAPTIVE
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a loved one; a sweetheart
vb. 1. c1430 arch. – to take captive, to bring into captivity
vb. 2. 1528 arch. – to captivate, to enthrall
• CAPTIVEMENT
n. 1714 obs. rare – a taking captive, captivity
• CAPTIVER
n. 1613 obs. – one who takes captive; a captor
• CAPTIVITY
n. 1526 obs. – those who are in captivity; captives collectively
• CAP TO
vb. 1593 school & university sl. – to take off or touch one’s hat in salutation
• CAPTRESS
n. 1867 rare – a female captor
• CAPUL
n. c1290 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – a horse
• CAPULUPTIC FIT
n. 1900 Amer. dial. – a fit or seizure
• CAPUN
n. 1990s US prison sl. – one who has been sentenced to death
• CAP UP
vb. 1960s drug culture sl. – to transfer bulk drugs (in powder form) into capsules for sale
• CAPURTLE
n. 1950s sl. – a woman seen as a sex object
• CAPUSH
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – a group of people or things; a crowd; the whole lot
• CAPUT
adj. 1910s sl. – finished, over, ruined
• CAPYOUS
adj. c1430 obs. – capable
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