Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Bankrupt
Bank′rupt
,Noun.
1.
(Old Eng. Law)
A trader who secretes himself, or does certain other acts tending to defraud his creditors.
Blackstone.
2.
A trader who becomes unable to pay his debts; an insolvent trader; popularly, any person who is unable to pay his debts; an insolvent person.
M‘Culloch.
3.
(Law)
A person who, in accordance with the terms of a law relating to bankruptcy, has been judicially declared to be unable to meet his liabilities.
☞ In England, until the year 1861 none but a “trader” could be made a bankrupt; a non-trader failing to meet his liabilities being an “insolvent”. But this distinction was abolished by the Bankruptcy Act of 1861. The laws of 1841 and 1867 of the United States relating to bankruptcy applied this designation
bankrupt
to others besides those engaged in trade. Bank′rupt
,Adj.
1.
Being a bankrupt or in a condition of bankruptcy; unable to pay, or legally discharged from paying, one’s debts;
as, a
. bankrupt
merchant2.
Depleted of money; not having the means of meeting pecuniary liabilities;
as, a
. bankrupt
treasury3.
Relating to bankrupts and bankruptcy.
4.
Destitute of, or wholly wanting (something once possessed, or something one should possess).
“Bankrupt in gratitude.” Sheridan.
Bankrupt law
, a law by which the property of a person who is unable or unwilling to pay his debts may be taken and distributed to his creditors, and by which a person who has made a full surrender of his property, and is free from fraud, may be discharged from the legal obligation of his debts. See
Insolvent
, Adj.
Bank′rupt
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Bankrupted
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Bankrupting
.] To make bankrupt; to bring financial ruin upon; to impoverish.
Webster 1828 Edition
Bankrupt
BANK'RUPT
,Noun.
1.
A trader who secretes himself, or does certain other acts tending to defraud his creditors.2.
In a less technical sense, a trader who fails or becomes unable to pay his just debts; an insolvent trader. In strictness, no person but a trader can be a bankrupt. Bankruptcy is applied to merchants and traders; insolvency, to other persons.BANK'RUPT
,Adj.
BANK'RUPT
,Verb.
T.
Definition 2024
bankrupt
bankrupt
English
Adjective
bankrupt (comparative more bankrupt, superlative most bankrupt)
- In a condition of bankruptcy; unable to pay one's debts.
- a bankrupt merchant
- Having been legally declared insolvent.
- Destitute of, or wholly lacking (something once possessed, or something one should possess).
- a morally bankrupt politician
- Sheridan
- bankrupt in gratitude
Synonyms
- See also Wikisaurus:impoverished
Derived terms
Translations
having been legally declared insolvent
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See also
Verb
bankrupt (third-person singular simple present bankrupts, present participle bankrupting, simple past and past participle bankrupted)
- (transitive) To force into bankruptcy.
Translations
force into bankruptcy
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Noun
bankrupt (plural bankrupts)
- One who becomes unable to pay his or her debts; an insolvent person.
- (Britain, law, obsolete) A trader who secretes himself, or does certain other acts tending to defraud his creditors.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Blackstone to this entry?)
Translations
insolvent person
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References
- "Bankrupt" in Michael Quinion, Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds, 2004.