from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Hypothecate \Hy*poth"e*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Hypothecated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Hypothecating}.] [LL.
hypothecatus, p. p. of hypothecare to pledge, fr. L.
hypotheca pledge, security. See {Hypotheca}.] (Law)
To subject, as property, to liability for a debt or
engagement without delivery of possession or transfer of
title; to pledge without delivery of possession; to mortgage,
as ships, or other personal property; to make a contract by
bottomry. See {Hypothecation}, {Bottomry}.
[1913 Webster]
He had found the treasury empty and the pay of the navy
in arrear. He had no power to hypothecate any part of
the public revenue. Those who lent him money lent it on
no security but his bare word. --Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]