To write with a capital letter; to convert something into capital for investment, or to take advantage of an opportunity.
From capital plus the verb suffix -ise (British) or -ize (American). The term evolved from Middle French and Latin, with economic meanings developing in the 17th-18th centuries.
The three meanings of 'capitalise'—writing capital letters, investing money, and seizing opportunities—all share a hidden connection: they're about recognizing something important enough to mark, measure, or exploit!
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