HYPOTHECA

‖Hy′po‐the″ca (?), n. [[L., fr. Gr. � a thing subject to some obligation, fr. � to put under, put down, pledge. See Hypothesis.]] (Rom. Law) An obligation by which property of a debtor was made over to his creditor in security of his debt. ☞ It differed from pledge in regard to possession of the property subject to the obligation; pledge requiring, simple hypotheca not requiring, possession of it by the creditor. The modern mortgage corresponds very closely with it. Kent.