hypothec

American  

[hahy-poth-ik, hi-] / haɪˈpɒθ ɪk, hɪ- /

noun

1. Roman and Civil Law. a mortgage or security held by a creditor on the property of a debtor without possession of it, created either by agreement or by operation of law.

2. (in some modern legal systems) a security interest created in immovable property.

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hypothec British  

/ haɪˈpɒθɪk /

noun

1. Roman law Scots law a charge on property in favour of a creditor

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Etymology

Origin of hypothec

1585–95; earlier hypotheca < Late Latin < Greek hypothḗkē deposit, pledge, mortgage (akin to hypotithénai to deposit as pledge). See hypo-, theca

Example Sentences

Hypothec, hī-poth′ek, n. in Scotch law, a lien or security over goods in respect of a debt due by the owner of the goods.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

In French law the landlord’s claim for rent is fairly secured by the hypothec, and by summary powers which exist for the seizure of the effects of defaulting tenants.

From Project Gutenberg

If the hale hypothec were to fa’, I think, laddie, I would dee!

From Project Gutenberg

There was a square of modern offices, in which the cattle and horses of the farm—appropriated by the landlord, at the time under the law of hypothec—were tolerably well lodged; but the hovel in which three of the farm-servants lived, and in which, for want of a better, my master and I had to cook and sleep, was one of the most miserable tumble-down erections I ever saw inhabited.

From Project Gutenberg

We believe that it would be a wise and profitable policy for Landlords as well as for Tenants to abolish Hypothec and Entail, and to grant compensation for improvements made by the latter.

From Project Gutenberg