capo1

[key-poh] /ˈkeɪ poʊ/
noun, plural capos.
1.
any of various devices for a guitar, lute, banjo, etc., that when clamped or screwed down across the strings at a given fret will raise each string a corresponding number of half tones.
2.
the nut of a guitar, lute, banjo, etc.
Also called capotasto.
Origin
1875-80; < Italian, shortening of capotasto capotasto

capo2

[kah-poh, kap-oh] /ˈkɑ poʊ, ˈkæp oʊ/
noun, plural capos.
1.
the chief of a branch of the Mafia.
Origin
1960-65; < Italian: head, leader < Vulgar Latin *capum for Latin caput; cf. chief
Examples from the web for capo
  • Whenever you shoot or arrest one capo, you simply get more bloodbaths as rivals fight to take their place.
British Dictionary definitions for capo

capo1

/ˈkeɪpəʊ; ˈkæpəʊ/
noun (pl) -pos
1.
a device fitted across all the strings of a guitar, banjo, etc, so as to raise the pitch of each string simultaneously Also called capo tasto (ˈkæpəʊ ˈtæstəʊ) Compare barré
Word Origin
from Italian capo tasto head stop

capo2

/ˈkæpəʊ; Italian ˈkapo/
noun (pl) -pos
1.
the presumed title of a Mafia leader
Word Origin
Italian: head
Word Origin and History for capo
n.

"leader of a Mafia 'family,' " 1952, Italian, literally "head" (see head (n.)).

"pitch-altering device for a stringed instrument," 1946, short for capo tasto (1876), from Italian, literally "head stop" (see head (n.)).

Slang definitions & phrases for capo

capo

noun

The head of a local unit of the Mafia; Mafia captain: identified as Mafia capo by whatever's current crime commission

[fr Italian, ''head, chief'']