fore•close
Pronunciation: (fôr-klōz', fōr-), [key] — v., -closed, -clos•ing.
—v.t. -
- 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.
- to take away the right to redeem (a mortgage or pledge).
- to shut out; exclude; bar.
- to hinder or prevent, as from doing something.
- to establish an exclusive claim to.
- to close, settle, or answer beforehand.
—v.i. - to foreclose a mortgage or pledge.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.