n.
Pronunciation: di- ' ben-ch ə r
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English debentur, from Latin, they are due, 3d plural present passive of deb ē re to owe ― more at DEBT
Date: 15th century
1 British : a corporate security other than an equity security : BOND
2 : a bond backed by the general credit of the issuer rather than a specific lien on particular assets