liq·ui·date (lĭk'wĭ-dāt')

v., -dat·ed, -dat·ing, -dates.

v.tr.

1. 1. To pay off (a debt, a claim, or an obligation); settle.
   2. To settle the affairs of (a business firm, for example) by determining the liabilities and applying the assets to their discharge.
2. To convert (assets) into cash.
3. To put an end to; abolish.
4. To put to death; kill.

v.intr.

1. To settle a debt, a claim, or an obligation.
2. To settle the affairs of a business or an estate by disposing of its assets and liabilities. See synonyms at eliminate.

[Late Latin liquidāre, liquidāt-, to melt, from Latin liquidus, liquid. See liquid.]

liquidation liq'ui·da'tion n.
liquidator liq'ui·da'tor n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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