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debenture

The definition of a debenture is a long-term bond issued by a company, or an unsecured loan that a company issues without a pledge of assets.

(noun)

An interest-bearing bond issued by a power company is an example of a debenture.

See debenture in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a voucher or certificate acknowledging that a debt is owed by the signer
a customhouse order for payment of a drawback, as to an importer
an interest-bearing bond issued against the general credit of a corporation or governmental unit, with no specific pledge of assets

Origin: ME debentur < ML < L, 3d pers. pl., pres. pass. indic., of debere: see debt: so called from receipts beginning with the Latin words debentur mihi, there are owing to me

See debenture in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A certificate or voucher acknowledging a debt.
An unsecured bond issued by a civil or governmental corporation or agency and backed only by the credit standing of the issuer.
A customhouse certificate providing for the payment of a drawback.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English debentur

Origin: , from Latin dēbentur, they are due (probably the first word appearing on certificates of indebtedness)

Origin: , third person pl. passive of dēbēre, to owe; see ghabh- in Indo-European roots

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