DEBENTURE


Meaning of DEBENTURE in English

də̇ˈbenchə(r), dēˈ- noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English debentur, from Latin, they are due, 3d person plural present passive of debēre to owe — more at debt

1. : a writing or certificate signed by a public officer as evidence of a debt or of a right to demand or receive a sum of money: as

a. : a voucher from a government official certifying a sum of money to be due to a person (as for stores supplied to the ordnance department)

b. : a customhouse certificate entitling an exporter of imported goods to a drawback of duties paid on their importation

c. : an instrument issued as evidence of debt by a government on the security of the public assets or credit

2.

a. Britain : a security issued by a company other than its shares : bond

b. or debenture bond : a bond usually secured by an indenture containing protective provisions but without a specific lien on any asset — now the usual United States use; distinguished from mortgage bond ; compare bond III 5b

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.