fore·close [ fawr klṓz ](past and past participlefore·closed, present participlefore·clos·ing, 3rd person present singularfore·clos·es)
verb
Definition:
1. transitive and intransitive verb end mortgage: to take away a mortgagee's right to redeem a mortgage, usually because payments have not been made The bank foreclosed on the property.
2. transitive verb shut somebody or something out: to bar or exclude somebody or something
(
formal
)
3. transitive verb settle something beforehand: to settle or resolve something in advance
(
formal
)
4. transitive verb prevent something: to prevent or hinder something
(
formal
)
5. transitive verb hold something exclusively: to have an exclusive right or claim to something
(
formal
)
[13th century. < Old French forclos, past participle of forclore< Latin foris "outside" + claudere "shut, close"]
