The Collaborative International Dictionary
Foreclose \Fore*close"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Foreclosed; p. pr. & vb. n. Foreclosing.] [F. forclos, p. p. of forclore to exclude; OF. fors, F. hors, except, outside (fr. L. foris outside) + F. clore to close. See Foreign, and Close, v. t.] To shut up or out; to preclude; to stop; to prevent; to bar; to exclude.
The embargo with Spain foreclosed this trade.
--Carew.
To foreclose a mortgager (Law), to cut him off by a judgment of court from the power of redeeming the mortgaged premises, termed his equity of redemption.
To foreclose a mortgage, (not technically correct, but
often used to signify) the obtaining a judgment for the
payment of an overdue mortgage, and the exposure of the
mortgaged property to sale to meet the mortgage debt.
--Wharton.
Wiktionary
vb. (present participle of foreclose English)
Usage examples of "foreclosing".
I told him I was and asked him if he was still foreclosing on mortgages.
As you know, the Automatic Repair people removed all your machinery and tools within an hour of foreclosing on your shop.
As you know, the Automatic Atomic Repair people removed all your machinery and tools within an hour of foreclosing on your shop.
So one bright day Ermengarde motored back to Hogton and arrived at the farm just as 'Squire Hardman was foreclosing the mortgage and ordering the old folks out.
It's a poor life when you're reduced to getting cheap thrills from foreclosing on someone's mortgage.