hypothecate

1 of 2

verb (1)

hy·​poth·​e·​cate hi-ˈpä-thə-ˌkāt How to pronounce hypothecate (audio)
hī-
hypothecated; hypothecating

transitive verb

: to pledge as security without delivery of title or possession
hypothecation noun
hypothecator noun

hypothecate

2 of 2

verb (2)

hy·​poth·​e·​cate hī-ˈpä-thə-ˌkāt How to pronounce hypothecate (audio)
hypothecated; hypothecating

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Medieval Latin hypothecare to pledge, from Late Latin hypotheca pledge, from Greek hypothēkē, from hypotithenai to put under, deposit as a pledge

Verb (2)

Greek hypothēkē suggestion, from hypotithenai

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1681, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypothecate was in 1681

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near hypothecate

Cite this Entry

“Hypothecate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypothecate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

hypothecate

transitive verb
hy·​poth·​e·​cate hi-ˈpä-thə-ˌkāt, hī- How to pronounce hypothecate (audio)
hypothecated; hypothecating
: to pledge as security without delivery of title or possession compare pawn
hypothecation noun
Etymology

Transitive verb

Medieval Latin hypothecare to pledge, from Late Latin hypotheca pledge, from Greek hypothēkē, from hypotithenai to put under, deposit as pledge

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!