The Collaborative International Dictionary
Capite \Cap"i*te\ (k[a^]p`[i^]*t[=e]), n. [L., abl. of caput head.] See under Tenant.
Wikipedia
In old English law, a capite (from Latin caput, head) was a tenure, abolished by Act 12 Chas. II, xxiv. ( Tenures Abolition Act 1660), by which either person or land was held immediately of the king, or of his crown, either by knight-service or socage. A holder of a capite is termed a tenant-in-chief.
Usage examples of "capite".
Sed ea celeritate atque eo impetu milites ierunt, cum capite solo ex aqua exstarent, ut hostes impetum legionum atque equitum sustinere non possent ripasque dimitterent ac se fugae mandarent.
Those Roman citizens who belonged to the capite censi or Head Count were too poor to qualify for a Class status, and so could not vote in the Centuriate Assembly.
East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, in free and common soccage, and not in capite or by knight's service.