[f. prec. or on analogy of vbs. so formed: see -ATE3.]
† 1. trans. To draw up in chapters, or under heads or articles; to specify, enumerate. Obs.
1593. Lodge, Wm. Longbeard, E ij b. The lawes … which we capitulate at sea are not … used on lande.
1608. Topsell, Serpents, 600. The places of serpents abode being thus generally capitulated.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1678), 116. The Articles reflecting both upon Church and State, being capitulated, and interchangeably accorded on both sides [etc.].
1678. Marvell, Def. Howe, Wks. 1875, IV. 182. The Discourse … capitulates that Mr. Howe should by efficacious intend infallibility, &c.
† b. intr.
1596. Nashe, Saffron Walden, 81. For an assay … of his pen, he capitulated on the births of monsters.
† 2. intr. To draw up articles of agreement; to arrange or propose terms; to treat, bargain, parley.
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., III. ii. 120. Percy, Northumberland,… Mortimer, Capitulate against vs.
1618. Sir T. Lake, in Fortescue Papers, 38. He did not intend to capitulate with his Majesty.
1669. Baxter, Call Unconv., 247. Think not to capitulate with Christ, and divide your heart betwixt him and the world.
1697. Dampier, Voy. (1729), I. 220. The Spaniards … capitulated day after day to prolong time.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), VII. 344. It had the appearance of meanly capitulating with you.
1815. Wellington, in Gurw., Disp., XII. 355. We must not capitulate with mutiny in any shape.
1816. Southey, Ess. (1832), I. 322. Those magistrates … who capitulated with the agricultural rioters, and … acceded to the demands of a mob.
† b. With various constructions: To make conditions, stipulate, agree. Obs.
1580. North, Plutarch (1676), 965. Plemminius … did capitulate with Lepidus to render up the Town to him.
1580. Sidney, Arcadia, IV. (1590), 432. To capitulate what tenements they should have.
1602. Segar, Hon. Mil. & Civ., III. xiii. 126. Two gentlemen capitulate to fight on horseback.
1715. De Foe, Hon. & Just. (1841), 16. I capitulate for so much justice as to explain myself.
1818. Mrs. Shelley, Frankenst., iv. The man who thus capitulated for his safety.
† 3. trans. a. To make terms about, agree upon the terms of; to formulate, arrange for, conclude. b. To make the subject of negotiation. Obs.
1593. Lodge, Wm. Longbeard, F ij b. A peace lately capitulated betwixt Dagobert, kinge of France and Grimoald.
a. 1649. Charles I., Wks., 230. He had no Commission … to capitulate anything concerning Religion.
1661. Webster, Thracian Wonder, II. i. How dare you, sir, capitulate the cause?
4. intr. To make terms of surrender; to surrender or yield on stipulated terms, in opposition to surrendering at discretion. The ordinary use; said of a general, force, garrison, fortress, town, etc.
1689. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), I. 547. The 12th, the duke of Gourdon beat a parly, and desired to capitulate.
1705. Lond. Gaz., 4160/3. The Castle of Mittau began to capitulate the 14th instant.
1769. Robertson, Chas. V., V. v. 439. Want of provisions quickly obliged Trevulci to capitulate.
1874. Bancroft, Footpr. Time, iii. 160. Washington … after defending himself one day, capitulates.
fig. 1714. Spect., No. 566, ¶ 8. I still pursued, and, about two o’clock this afternoon, she thought fit to capitulate.
1841–4. Emerson, Wks. (Bohn), I. 21. I am ashamed to think how easily we capitulate to badges and names.
b. trans. To surrender upon terms.
a. 1848. R. W. Hamilton, Rew. & Punishm., vi. (1853), 264. We cannot capitulate the premisses.
1870. Daily Tel., 22 Sept., 5/6. The new Minister of Foreign Affairs seems more and more disposed to the policy of capitulating France.
Hence Capitulated ppl. a. Capitulating vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1586. Ferne, Blaz. Gentrie, 331. A Combate capitulated, that is to wit, A Combate, wherin are set downe … diuers Articles or conditions, as to the manner of the battaile.
1654. Earl Orrery, Parthenissa (1676), 281. This capitulating Traytor.
1753. Smollett, Ct. Fathom (1784), 154/1. He put on his capitulating face.
