capitation

UK: /ˌkæpɪˈteɪʃən/ US: (kap′i tā′shən)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

cap•i•ta•tion  (kap′i tā′shən), n. 

1. a numbering or assessing by the head.
2. a poll tax.
3. a fee or payment of a uniform amount for each person.

• Late Latin capitātiōn- (stem of capitātiō), equivalent. to Latin capit- (stem of caput) head + -ātiōn -ation
• French)
• (1605–15

cap′i•ta′tive, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

capitation / ˌkæpɪˈteɪʃən/ noun

1. a tax levied on the basis of a fixed amount per head
2. capitation grant ⇒ a grant of money given to every person who qualifies under certain conditions

Etymology: 17th Century: from Late Latin capitātiō, from Latin caput head