capituler

to capitulate

verb kah-pee-tü-LEH Rare

Origin: Medieval Latin capitulare (to draw up in chapters, to negotiate terms)

Also means

to give in

Usage Note

Capituler describes surrendering — in a military sense (capituler devant l'ennemi) or in an everyday argument (finir par capituler). It is stronger and more definitive than céder (to give way). The noun capitulation is used in both historical and everyday contexts.

Examples

"L'armée a été forcée de capituler."

Natural Translation

The army was forced to capitulate.

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