debenture

[ dih-ben-cher ]

noun

1. certificate of indebtedness.
2. a certificate of drawback issued at a custom house.

debenture

/ dɪˈbɛntʃə /

noun

1. Also calleddebenture bond a long-term bond, bearing fixed interest and usually unsecured, issued by a company or governmental agency
2. a certificate acknowledging the debt of a stated sum of money to a specified person
3. a customs certificate providing for a refund of excise or import duty

Derived Forms

• deˈbentured, adjective

Other Words From

• de·bentured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of debenture¹

1425–75; late Middle English debentur < Latin dēbentur ( mihi ) there are owing (to me), 3rd person plural passive indicative of dēbēre to owe ( debt )

Word History and Origins

Origin of debenture¹

C15: from Latin phrase dēbentur mihi there are owed to me, from dēbēre to owe

Example Sentences

He drew a princely salary and a substantial dividend, he was listed as a debenture holder and was accounted a rich man.

From Project Gutenberg

Prior Lien Mortgage Bonds, ranking before the debenture stock.

From Project Gutenberg

The discovery of the debenture is perhaps only a coincidence.

From Project Gutenberg

The receiver general would then deliver to the bank an amount of registered notes equal to the amount of debenture lodged.

From Project Gutenberg

You were neither landowners nor leaseholders, neither shareholders nor debenture holders.

From Project Gutenberg