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amortize

The definition of amortize means to put money aside or to repay a debt over time or to deduct costs over time.

(verb)

To make mortgage payments is an example of amortize.
To take a tax deduction for the purchase of business equipment over several years is an example of amortize.

See amortize in Webster's New World College Dictionary

to put money aside at intervals, as in a sinking fund, for gradual payment of (a debt, etc.) either at or before maturity
Accounting to write off (expenditures) by prorating over a fixed period
Law to reduce, transfer, or sell (property) in mortmain

Origin: ME amortisen < extended stem of OFr amortir, to extinguish, sell in mortmain (< ML amortire); or < ML amortizare; both ML forms < L ad, to + mors, death: see mortal

Related Forms:

amortizable adjective

See amortize in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb am·or·tized, am·or·tiz·ing, am·or·tiz·es

To liquidate (a debt, such as a mortgage) by installment payments or payment into a sinking fund.
To write off an expenditure for (office equipment, for example) by prorating over a certain period.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English amortisen, to alienate in mortmain

Origin: , from Old French amortir, amortiss-

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *admortīre, to deaden

Origin: : Latin ad-, ad-

Origin: + Latin mors, mort-, death; see mer- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: