English Lexicon

Capitalism

/ˈkæp.ɪ.təl.ɪ.zəm/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #3150 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

1 sense
As noun
  1. 1

    An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.

    "Critics of capitalism argue that it widens the wealth gap between the rich and the poor."

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Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'capitalis' (pertaining to head, property, or principal sum), via French and German economic terminology in the mid-19th century. The suffix '-ism' was added to denote the socio-economic system centered on private ownership and capital accumulation.

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