Capital Punishment

C2 16+
Pronunciation Definitions Examples Grammatical Forms Origin and Evolution

Pronunciation: /ˈkæpɪtəl ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/

Definitions of capital punishment

noun a legal process where a person is sentenced to death for a crime they have committed

Example Sentences

A1 Some countries still use capital punishment as a form of punishment for serious crimes.

A2 The debate on the effectiveness of capital punishment continues to divide public opinion.

B1 Capital punishment is a controversial topic that raises ethical and moral questions.

B2 Many argue that capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime and should be abolished.

C1 The use of capital punishment varies greatly around the world, with some countries abolishing it completely.

C2 Capital punishment is a complex issue that requires careful consideration of legal, ethical, and social implications.

Examples of capital punishment in a Sentence

formal The debate on whether to abolish capital punishment continues among lawmakers.

informal Some people believe that capital punishment is necessary for serious crimes.

slang I heard they're bringing back capital punishment in that state.

figurative In the court of public opinion, cancel culture can be seen as a form of social capital punishment.

Grammatical Forms of capital punishment

plural

capital punishments

present tense

capital punishment

future tense

will capital punishment

perfect tense

has capital punishment

continuous tense

is capital punishment

singular

capital punishment

positive degree

capital punishment

infinitive

to capital punishment

gerund

capital punishing

participle

capital punished

Origin and Evolution of capital punishment

First Known Use: 1532 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The term 'capital punishment' originated from the Latin phrase 'capitalis poena' which translates to 'of the head' punishment. It was used to refer to the most severe form of punishment involving the loss of one's head or life.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'capital punishment' has come to specifically refer to the legal execution of a person as a punishment for a crime, rather than any form of severe punishment involving the loss of life.