The word "capitol" refers to a building where lawmakers meet, usually a state or federal legislature. It is often confused with "capital," which refers to a city that serves as the seat of government. The spelling of "capitol" is straightforward; it is spelled /ˈkæpɪtəl/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound, followed by a short "i" sound in the second syllable. The final syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, which is the unstressed "uh" sound.
Capitol, often spelled "capital" in British English, refers to a building or complex that serves as the seat of government for a city, state, or country. It is typically where the legislative branch, such as a parliament or a congress, convenes to debate, pass, and enforce laws. The term can also be extended to symbolize the political and administrative center of a nation or a region.
Originally derived from the Latin word "capitōlium," which referred to the temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus in ancient Rome, the word "capitol" is often used to specifically designate a building that is emblematic of a legislative assembly, such as the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The capitol building is recognized for its significant architectural and historical importance, often showcasing grandeur and impressive design elements. It may house various chambers, committee rooms, offices of government officials, and public galleries for observing legislative proceedings. The capitol frequently serves as a hub for the democratic process, where politicians gather to draft, discuss, and debate legislation that shapes the governance of a nation.
In a broader context, "capitol" also represents the capital city or town in which the seat of government is located. For instance, "Washington D.C. is the capitol of the United States." In this sense, "capital" can be used interchangeably with "capitol."
The temple of Jupiter; a fort or castle in Rome where the senate of anc. Rome met; the building occupied by the parliament or Congress of the U.S. of Amer.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "capitol" has its etymology from the Latin word "capitōlium". The term originated from the ancient Roman Capitoline Hill, which was the political and religious center of Rome. The Capitoline Hill was home to the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, which stood tall as a symbol of power and authority in ancient Rome. Over time, "capitōlium" evolved into "capitolium" and eventually entered English as "capitol", which specifically refers to a building where a legislative body meets, such as the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.