hypothec

[hahy-poth-ik, hi-]

noun

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.

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

Nearby words

Origin of hypothec

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hypothec

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.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M)|Various
He is also in favour of the abolition of the laws of entail and hypothec.
Western Worthies|J. Stephen Jeans

British Dictionary definitions for hypothec

hypothec

noun

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

Word Origin for hypothec

C16: from Late Latin hypotheca a security, from Greek hupothēkē deposit, pledge, from hupotithenai to deposit as a security, place under, from hypo- + tithenai to place

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012