ˈlikwə̇ˌdāt, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Late Latin liquidatus, past participle of liquidare to melt, from Latin liquidus liquid — more at liquid
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to determine by agreement or by litigation the precise amount of (indebtedness, damages, accounts)
was prepared to pay the debts as soon as it was liquidated
(2) : to determine the liabilities and apportion assets toward discharging the indebtedness of (as a firm that is going out of business)
decided to liquidate the corporation by the end of the year
b. : to settle (a debt) by payment or other adjustment or settlement
made every effort to stabilize the economy by liquidating the national debt
2. : to get rid of : dispose of
any remaining doubts or objections can be easily liquidated
especially : to get rid of by force or violence and especially by killing
ruthlessly liquidates all opponents of the regime
3. archaic : to make clear : make plain : make unambiguous or less ambiguous
time only can liquidate the meaning — Alexander Hamilton
4. : to convert (assets) into cash
liquidated his securities
intransitive verb
1. : to liquidate debts or damages or accounts
2. : to determine (as of a firm that is going out of business) liabilities and to apportion assets toward discharging indebtedness