de ex·com·mu·ni·ca·to ca·pi·en·do \(ˌ)dāˌekskəˌmünē|käd.(ˌ)ōˌkäpē|en(ˌ)dō\noun Etymology: New Latin, literally, of seizing an excommunicated person : an ancient writ ordering the imprisonment of an excommunicated person until he submitted to the church