Debenture Latin Di Ben Chuhr Noun Certificate Acknowledging Debt Debentur

debenture /di-BEN-chuhr/

noun

A certificate acknowledging a debt.

[From Latin debentur (they are due/owing), the first word in early certificates of indebtedness. From Latin debere (to owe), ultimately from the Indo-European root ghabh- (to give or to receive), which is also the source of give, gift, able, habit, prohibit, due, duty, adhibit, and habile. Earliest documented use: 1455.]

“‘My dear Violet,’ Allen said, leaning over to be heard, ‘you must recall that Foster’s idea of fun is curling up with a debenture agreement that includes an especially ingenious reordering of priorities in bankruptcy.’” - David O. Stewart; The Wilson Deception; Kensington Books; 2015.