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Hypothecate: meaning, definitions and examples

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hypothecate

 

[ haɪˈpɒθɪkeɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

financial context

To hypothecate means to pledge property as security for a loan without giving up possession of it. This practice is common in mortgage financing and allows a borrower to retain ownership of the asset while still providing collateral to the lender.

Synonyms

collateralize, mortgage, pledge.

Examples of usage

  • The homeowner decided to hypothecate her property to secure a home equity loan.
  • The bank required the company to hypothecate its assets before providing the necessary capital.
  • He chose to hypothecate his stocks instead of selling them for quick cash.
  • In some cases, businesses hypothecate inventory to obtain short-term financing.

Etymology

The term 'hypothecate' comes from the Greek words 'hypo' meaning 'under' or 'below' and 'theke' meaning 'a placing' or 'a putting'. The word was adopted into Middle French before making its way into English in the early 19th century. It originally referred to the legal practice of creating a pledge of property that could not be seized by the lender until the borrower defaulted on their mortgage or loan. Hypothecation is a common term used in banking and finance and helps facilitate transactions by allowing individuals and businesses to use their assets as collateral without losing possession. Over time, the concept has evolved, but the core idea of using property as security for a debt remains central to the financial industry.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,760, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.