Definition of "mortgage" []

• A temporary, conditional pledge of property to a creditor as security for performance of an obligation or repayment of a debt. (noun)
• A contract or deed specifying the terms of a mortgage. (noun)
• The claim of a mortgagee upon mortgaged property. (noun)
• To pledge or convey (property) by means of a mortgage. (verb-transitive)
• To make subject to a claim or risk; pledge against a doubtful outcome: mortgaged their political careers by taking an unpopular stand. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Throughout this discussion, the term mortgage fraud is intended to encompass predatory lending practices as well."
• "- The term mortgage-related assets means residential or commercial mortgages and any securities, obligations, or other instruments that are based on or related to such mortgages, that in each case was originated or issued on or before September 17, 2008."
• "The primacy of a mortgage is an ancient aspect of our law."