foreclose

Meaning

Verb

• To repossess a mortgaged property whose owner has failed to make the necessary payments; used with on.
• To cut off (a mortgager) by a judgment of court from the power of redeeming the mortgaged premises.
• To shut up or out; to prevent from doing something.

Origin

• Partially from Middle English foreclosen, forclosen, from Old French forclos, past participle of forclore, from for- + clore, and partially from Middle English forclusen, from Old English forclȳsan, equivalent to for- + close.