Meaning of liquidate in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈlɪkwəˌdeɪt/

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  1. Verb

    liquidate

    Etymology

    mid 16th century (in the sense ‘set out (accounts) clearly’): from medieval Latin liquidat-‘made clear’, from the verb liquidare, from Latin liquidus (see liquid). liquidate (sense 1) was influenced by Italian liquidare and French liquider, liquidate (sense 2) by Russian likvidirovatʹ

    Definitions

    1. get rid of (someone who may be a threat) by killing

    Examples

    • « The mafia liquidated the informer »
    • « the double agent was neutralized »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. eliminate by paying off (debts)

    Derived terms

  3. 3. convert into cash

    Examples

    • « I had to liquidate my holdings to pay off my ex-husband »
  4. 4. settle the affairs of by determining the debts and applying the assets to pay them off

    Examples

    • « liquidate a company »

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