'Active capital' definitions:

Definition of 'Active capital'

From: GCIDE
  • capital \cap"i*tal\ (k[a^]p"[i^]*tal), n. [Cf. L. capitellum and capitulum, a small head, the head, top, or capital of a column, dim. of caput head; F. chapiteau, OF. capitel. See chief, and cf. cattle, chattel, chapiter, chapter.]
  • 1. (Arch.) The head or uppermost member of a column, pilaster, etc. It consists generally of three parts, abacus, bell (or vase), and necking. See these terms, and Column. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. [Cf. F. capilate, fem., sc. ville.] (Geog.) The seat of government; the chief city or town in a country; a metropolis. "A busy and splendid capital" --Macauly. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. [Cf. F. capital.] Money, property, or stock employed in trade, manufactures, etc.; the sum invested or lent, as distinguished from the income or interest. See {Capital stock}, under Capital, a. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. (Polit. Econ.) That portion of the produce of industry, which may be directly employed either to support human beings or to assist in production. --M'Culloch. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: When wealth is used to assist production it is called capital. The capital of a civilized community includes fixed capital (i.e. buildings, machines, and roads used in the course of production and exchange) and circulating capital (i.e., food, fuel, money, etc., spent in the course of production and exchange). --T. Raleigh. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Anything which can be used to increase one's power or influence. [1913 Webster]
  • He tried to make capital out of his rival's discomfiture. --London Times. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. (Fort.) An imaginary line dividing a bastion, ravelin, or other work, into two equal parts. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. A chapter, or section, of a book. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • Holy St. Bernard hath said in the 59th capital. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]
  • 8. (Print.) See Capital letter, under Capital, a. [1913 Webster]
  • Active capital. See under Active,
  • Small capital (Print.), a small capital letter; informally referred to (in the plural) as small caps; as, the technical terms are listed in small caps. See under Capital, a.
  • To live on one's capital, to consume one's capital without producing or accumulating anything to replace it. [1913 Webster]