Meaning of liquidate in English

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 »
2. 2. eliminate by paying off (debts)
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 »