[a. F. capitulation, ad. med.L. capitulātiōn-em, n. of action f. capitulāre to draw up under heads.] The action of the verb CAPITULATE.
† 1. The action of arranging in chapters or heads; a portion of a work so arranged. Obs.
1613. R. C., Table Alph. (ed. 3), Capitulation, distinguishing by parts, bringing to hands [? heads].
2. A statement of the heads of a subject; summation, summary, enumeration; cf. recapitulation.
1579. Fenton, Guicciard., I. (1599), 15. This is the capitulation and summe of them [the conditions of a convention].
1638. Heywood, Port Piety, A 4. I should but spend Paper in a meere capitulation of their names.
1882. Stevenson, Men & Bks., 124. How much criticism does it require to know that capitulation is not description.
† 3. The making of terms, or of a bargain or agreement; stipulation. Obs.
1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie (Arb.), 298. In conuersation simple, in capitulation subtill and mistrustfull.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., VI. (1843), 347/2. The active people of both sides came to those capitulations.
1721. Strype, Eccl. Mem., I. I. xii. 103. Appointing by capitulation what the pope should do.
† b. pl. Articles or terms of a treaty, stipulations, covenants, conditions. Obs.
1580. North, Plutarch (1676), 377. The capitulations which the Ephori sent unto him, were these.
1667. Treaty, in Magens, Insurances, II. 530. The Kings of Great Britain and Spain shall … keep … all and singular, the Capitulations in this present Treaty agreed.
1721. Strype, Eccl. Mem., II. I. xxvii. 221. Soldiers … had been paid for their service … according to their capitulations.
1728. Morgan, Hist. Algiers, II. iv. 285. The Capitulations between his Imperial Majesty and his new Ally.
† c. An agreement on specified terms, a covenant, convention, treaty. Obs.
1535. Gardiner, in Strype, Eccl. Mem., I. II. lxv. 161. In case … any of them should swerve from any piece of the capitulation by force of the emperor.
1642. Bridge, Wounded Consc. Cured, 43. Then the Doctor comes to the matter of capitulation or covenant.
1691. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), II. 212. The French at Mons had already broke their capitulation with the burghers.
1798. Dallas, Amer. Law Rep., II. 459. The rights which descended to him in consequence of his father’s original capitulation.
1843. Prescott, Mexico, VII. iv. (1864), 444. The terms of his [Columbus] original ‘capitulation’ with the crown.
d. spec. (a.) The agreement or conditions sworn to by the former German emperors at their election. (b.) The agreements made by the Swiss cantons with foreign powers respecting the regiments of Swiss who took service under them. (c.) The articles by which the Porte gave special immunities and privileges to French subjects; extended subsequently to those of other nations.
1622. Prot. Princes, in Rushw., Hist. Coll., I. 74. As was agreed upon in the Capitulation Royal, and Fundamental Law of the Empire.
1756. Nugent, Gr. Tour, II. 26. Every Emperor is tied down at his coronation to some new articles, which are called terms of capitulation.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., II. 472. European merchants live here in … splendour and safety … owing to particular capitulations with the Porte.
1863. Kinglake, Crimea (1876), I. viii. 116. These privileges had been granted to the principal States of Europe by treaty engagements which went by the name of ‘capitulations.’
1872. Freeman, Growth Eng. Const., 209. The system of military capitulations … by the Cantons.
1884. Twiss, Law Nations, I. 463. It may be doubted whether the term ‘Capitulations’ came into use before the Treaty of 1535 between France and the Porte.
4. The making of terms for surrender; the action of surrendering to an enemy upon stipulated terms.
1650. Cromwell, Lett., 18 Dec. (Carlyle). The gentlemen you desire … to treat and conclude of the capitulation.
1769. Robertson, Chas. V., V. IV. 407. Clement … was soon obliged to demand a capitulation.
a. 1876. J. H. Newman, Hist. Sk., I. I. i. 17. In Greece to offer earth and water was the sign of capitulation.
Mod. The capitulation of Metz.
b. The instrument containing the terms.
1793. Ld. Auckland, Corr., III. 9. I …enclose the capitulations of Breda and Gertruydenberg.
1849–50. Alison, Hist. Europe, VIII. lv. § 34. 590. At daybreak the capitulation was signed.
