Main Entry: cap·i·tal·ize

Pronunciation: \ˈka-pə-tə-ˌlīz, ˈkap-tə-, British also kə-ˈpi-tə-\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): cap·i·tal·ized; cap·i·tal·iz·ing

Date: 1764

transitive verb 1 : to write or print with an initial capital or in capitals
2 a : to convert into capital <capitalize the company's reserve fund> b : to treat as an amortizable investment in long-term capital assets rather than as an ordinary operating expense to be charged against revenue for the period in which it is incurred <capitalize development costs>
3 a : to compute the present value of (an income extended over a period of time) b : to convert (a periodic payment) into an equivalent capital sum <capitalized annuities>
4 : to supply capital forintransitive verb : to gain by turning something to advantage : profit <capitalize on an opponent's mistake>