foreclose

fore·close

verb \(ˌ)fȯr-ˈklōz\

Definition of FORECLOSE

transitive verb

1

: to shut out : preclude

2

: to hold exclusively

3

: to deal with or close in advance

4

: to subject to foreclosure proceedings

intransitive verb

: to foreclose a mortgage

Examples of FORECLOSE

1. They've been unable to make their mortgage payments, and the bank has threatened to foreclose.
2. The bank has threatened to foreclose their mortgage.

Origin of FORECLOSE

Middle English, from Anglo-French forclos, past participle of forclore, forsclore, from fors outside (from Latin foris) + clore to close — more at forum

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with FORECLOSE

appose, bluenose, brownnose, compose, depose, dextrose, disclose, dispose, dog rose, enclose, expose, fructose, glucose, hardnose, impose, Montrose, moss rose, musk rose, old rose, oppose, primrose, propose, pug nose, repose, rockrose, suppose, transpose, tuberose, unclose, viscose, wind rose