hypothec

noun

hy·​poth·​ec

hə̇ˈpäthik,

hīˈ-

plural -s

1

Roman & civil law : an obligation, right, or security given by contract or by operation of law to a creditor over property of the debtor without transfer of possession or title to the creditor compare pignus, pledge

2

Scottish : affair, concern

Word History

Etymology

French & Late Latin; French hypothèque, from Middle French, from Late Latin hypotheca, from Greek hypothēkē deposit, pledge, mortgage, from hypotithenai to deposit as a pledge, put under, propose

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!