Main Entry:

fore·close

Pronunciation:

\(ˌ)fȯr-ˈklōz\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

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

Date:

15th century

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