foreclose: Meaning and Definition of

fore•close

Pronunciation: (fôr-klōz', fōr-), [key]
— v., -closed, -clos•ing.
—v.t.
    1. to deprive (a mortgagor or pledgor) of the right to redeem his or her property, esp. on failure to make payment on a mortgage when due, ownership of property then passing to the mortgagee.
    2. to take away the right to redeem (a mortgage or pledge).
  1. to shut out; exclude; bar.
  2. to hinder or prevent, as from doing something.
  3. to establish an exclusive claim to.
  4. to close, settle, or answer beforehand.
—v.i.
  1. to foreclose a mortgage or pledge.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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