— foreclosable , adj.
/fawr klohz", fohr-/ , v. , foreclosed, foreclosing .
v.t.
1. Law.
a. to deprive (a mortgagor or pledgor) of the right to redeem his or her property, esp. on failure to make payment on a mortgage when due, ownership of property then passing to the mortgagee.
b. to take away the right to redeem (a mortgage or pledge).
2. to shut out; exclude; bar.
3. to hinder or prevent, as from doing something.
4. to establish an exclusive claim to.
5. to close, settle, or answer beforehand.
v.i.
6. to foreclose a mortgage or pledge.
[ 1250-1300; ME foreclosen forclos, ptp. of forclore to exclude, equiv. to for- out + clore to shut ( claudere ) ]