căpĭtŭlum, i, n. dim. [caput].
I Lit., a small head , of man or beast: operto capitulo bibere, Plaut. Curc. 2, 3, 14.— Hence, in the lang. of comedy, for a man , Plaut. As. 2, 4, 89; and as a term of endearment: o capitulum lepidissimum, most charming creature , Ter. Eun. 531: haedi, Cels. 2, 22.—
B Of plants: caepae, Col. 11, 3, 15: sarmenti, id. 3, 77, 4: torcularii, Cato R. R. 18, 4 al. (perh. also ramulorum, Plin. 24, 19, 113, § 173; 27, 5, 20, § 37; cf. capitellum).—
II Transf.
A In architecture.
1 The capital or chapiter of a column , Vitr. 3, 3; 4, 1; Plin. 36, 23, 56, § 178 sq.—
2 The capital of a triglyph , Vitr. 4, 3, 8.—
3 The cross-beam of warlike engines , Vitr. 1, 1; 10, 17.—
B In late Lat., a covering for the head of females , Isid. Orig. 19, 31, 3; cf. Varr. ap. Non. p. 542, 30.—
C Also late Lat., a prominent part or division of a writing , a chapter , section , Tert. adv. Jud. 9, 19; Hier. in Ezech. c. 47 fin. —
D A section of a law , Cod. Just. 5, 37, 28.—
E The raising of recruits (as an office), Cod. Th. 11, 16, 15.