ca·pi·tis de·mi·nu·tio \ˈkapəd.ə̇sˌdeməˈn(y)üshēˌō, ˈkä...-ˌdāmə̇ˈnüd.ēˌō\noun (pluralcapitis deminuti·o·nes \-ˌn(y)üshēˈō(ˌ)nēz, -ˌnüd.ēˈō(ˌ)nās\) Etymology: Latin, literally, diminution of life Roman law: impairment of legal status or civil capacity before the strict law through loss of freedom, citizenship, or family membership