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

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