capitalize

What it means

1. transitiveIn writing or editing, to write (something: either an entire word or text, or just the initial letter(s) thereof) in capital letters, in upper case.

   In German, all nouns are capitalized.

2. transitivebusinessTo contribute or acquire capital (money or other resources) for.

   Some states require proof that a new venture is properly capitalized before the state will issue a certificate of incorporation.

   1 more example

   To have any hope of success a new venture must be properly capitalized.

   1990 April 7, 9, “Irish Gay Mag To Begin Publication”, in Gay Community News, page 9

3. transitivebusinessTo convert into capital, i.e., to get cash or similar immediately fungible resources for some less fungible property or source of future income.

   If we obtain a loan using the business as collateral, the effect will be to capitalize our next ten years of income, giving us cash today that we can use to buy out our competitor.

In a sentence

In German, all nouns are capitalized.

Where it comes from

1. Latincapitālis“of the head”
2. Englishcapitalize

From capital + -ize, the first element ultimately from Latin capitālis (“of the head”).