hypothec

noun

hy·poth·ec

hə̇ˈpäthik,

hīˈ-

plural -s

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

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