capias

noun

ca·​pi·​as ˈkā-pē-əs How to pronounce capias (audio)
Synonyms of capiasnext
: an arrest warrant

Examples of capias in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While traditional arrest warrants require an ascertainment that there is evidence a crime may have been committed, Peterson's capias warrant stems from his failure to appear in court over the issues. — Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024 She was arrested and jailed on a civil order called a capias for repeatedly refusing Moukawsher’s orders requiring her to cooperate with a trustee appointed to close her law practice and prohibiting her from withdrawing money from a client account. — Hartford Courant, 6 June 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, literally, you should seize, from capere to take — more at heave entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of capias was in the 15th century

Rhymes for capias

See All Rhymes for capias

Browse Nearby Words

Caphtorim
capias
capibara
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Capias.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capias. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on capias

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for capias

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All