hy·poth·e·cate [ hī póthə kàyt ](past and past participlehy·poth·e·cat·ed, present participlehy·poth·e·cat·ing, 3rd person present singularhy·poth·e·cates)
transitive verb
Definition:
1. pledge money for purpose: to designate money, especially public revenue, to be used for a specific purpose
2. pledge something as security: to pledge property or goods as security for a debt without surrendering ownership
[Early 17th century. < medieval Latin hypothecat-, past participle of hypothecare< late Latin hypotheca "deposit" < Greek hupothēkē< hupotithenai "deposit as a pledge"]
