Home Subjects Archives Quotations
Search: Search Tips

capitulator (kuh.PICH.uh,lay.tur) n. A soldier who deserts or surrenders before engaging in battle.
capitulation n.

Example Citation:
Leaflets have been raining down on Iraqi troops, urging them to surrender in the event of conflict but also telling them to stay put and not run around the battle zones.

It also is hoped that many will become "capitulators," a newly coined category for troops and units who surrender before any confrontation with U.S. forces.
—Denis D. Gray, "Legions of expected war prisoners may slow advance toward Baghdad," The Associated Press, March 17, 2003

Earliest Citation:
He noted that U.S. military forces have not had to deal with the mass surrenders on a battlefield since the Korean War and World War II. But he said "abject surrender is not that hard to recognize" - a white flag, a rifle held above the head, or tanks with turrets backward and guns lowered.

"In modern war," he said, "you may very well be in a brigade or division command post, and suddenly somebody comes up on your net, and in a clear voice, good English, says ' ... we're calling it quits, boss."'

He said the would-be capitulators would then be instructed to demonstrate their seriousness, and "if they do it, then you follow through."
—Richard Pyle, "U.S. Forces Warned to Be Wary of Iraqi 'Surrender' Ruses," The Associated Press, February 20, 1991

Related Words:
capitulation bottom
chicken hawk
decapitation strike
militainment
MOUT
shock and awe
slide-rule general
warfighter

Subject Categories:
Sociology - People
The World - Military

Posted on March 20, 2003 at 9:22 AM
Updated on March 20, 2003 at 9:22 AM


 Recent posts:
  jingle mail
  tuxeda
  boreout
  scuppie
  allergy bullying
  IMBY
  agflation
  mullet strategy
  walkshed
  daughter track
 Alphabetical archives:
  A B C D E F G H I
  J K L M N O P Q R
  S T U V W X Y Z #
 Other links:
Top 100 Words

Recent Words

Recent Quotes

Word Spy, The Book

Word Spy Citations

Feedback

My Favorite Words

My Neologisms

Paul McFedries



Copyright © 1995 - 2008 Paul McFedries and Logophilia Limited