foreclose

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to take possession of mortgaged property after the borrower fails to make required payments

   The bank threatened to foreclose on the house after months of missed payments.

2. 2
   verb

   to rule out, prevent, or close off an action or possibility

   The agreement does not foreclose further negotiations.

From Middle English foreclosen, influenced by Old French forclore, 'to shut out,' and Old English forclȳsan, 'to close up.' The mortgage sense developed from legally barring a borrower's right to redeem property.

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