When words derived from the names of persons or places lose their individual character, and are used as common words, they should commence with small letters; as, god-like, hector, turkey, china-ware, laconic.
3. Heaven and hell are written with small letters in the Bible. Satan is always printed with a capital, but devil commences with a small letter, unless it stands for Satan; as, “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”—Mat. iv. 1.
Rule IV. Nations.—The names of nations, or words derived from the names of nations, should commence with capitals.
EXAMPLES.
“‘Simply to be poor,’ says my favorite Greek historian, ‘was not held scandalous by the wise Athenians; but highly so, to owe that poverty to our own indiscretion.’”—Fielding.
American, German, French, Latins, Americanize, Latinize, Hellenize.
REMARK.
Italics and Italicize are frequently written with small letters.
Rule V. Sects and Parties.—The names of religious sects and political parties should commence with capitals.