in capite
/ɪn ˈkapɪteɪ/Now historical
adverb
1In chief; directly from the Crown.
2 tenure in capite: tenure by which land was held immediately of the Crown.
Origin
Early 16th century; earliest use found in John Fitzherbert (d. 1531). From post-classical Latin in capite (in tenere in capite to hold (of the king) in chief from classical Latin tenēre to hold + in + capite, ablative of caput head: see caput).