How to Pronounce Capitate
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Capitate Pronunciation
KAP-ih-tayt
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
KAP
stress here
ih
tayt
3 syllables
What is Capitate?
The largest carpal (wrist) bone, located in the center of the distal row. Its rounded head (capitate means "head-shaped" in Latin) fits into the concavity formed by the scaphoid and lunate bones.
Questions About Capitate
How do you pronounce 'capitate'?
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Capitate is pronounced KAP-ih-tayt. The stress falls on the first syllable (KAP), so you say it with emphasis there, then finish with a quiet 'ih-tayt.' Think of it like 'CAP' (as in a hat) plus 'i' plus 'tate.'
What is the correct way to break 'capitate' into syllables?
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Capitate breaks into three syllables: cap-i-tate. If you say each part separately and then speed them up together, you'll get the right pronunciation.
Which syllable should I stress when saying 'capitate'?
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You stress the first syllable: KAP-ih-tayt. A common mistake is putting the stress on the second or third syllable, but the emphasis should always be on that first 'cap' sound.
What does the word 'capitate' mean in plain English?
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Capitate literally means 'head-shaped.' It comes from the Latin word 'caput,' which means 'head.' The bone is called this because its rounded shape looks like a head.
What is the Latin root of 'capitate' and where does it come from?
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The word comes from the Latin 'caput,' meaning 'head.' When you add the Latin ending '-ate,' it creates an adjective that means 'shaped like a head' or 'having a head.' Many medical and English words use this same 'capit-' root.
Are there other medical words that use the same root as 'capitate'?
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Yes! Words like 'capital,' 'captain,' and 'capitulum' all share the 'capit-' root meaning 'head.' In anatomy, you might also hear 'decapitate,' which comes from the same Latin root.
What is a common mispronunciation of 'capitate,' and how should I correct it?
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A common mistake is saying 'kuh-PIT-ate' or 'cap-ih-TATE,' with stress on the wrong syllable. Remember: the stress goes on the first syllable, so it's always KAP-ih-tayt, not the other way around.
Can you use 'capitate' in a simple sentence?
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Sure! You could say: 'The capitate bone is the largest of the carpal bones in your wrist.' This shows you understand both the word and where this bone is located in the body.