Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Debenture"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Debenture \De*ben"ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. debentur they are due,
fr. debere to owe; cf. F. debentur. So called because these
receipts began with the words Debentur mihi.]
1. A writing acknowledging a debt; a writing or certificate
signed by a public officer, as evidence of a debt due to
some person; the sum thus due.

2. A customhouse certificate entitling an exporter of
imported goods to a drawback of duties paid on their
importation. --Burrill.

Note: It is applied in England to deeds of mortgage given by
railway companies for borrowed money; also to municipal
and other bonds and securities for money loaned.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Debenture \De*ben"ture\, n.
Any of various instruments issued, esp. by corporations, as
evidences of debt. Such instruments (often called

{debenture bonds}) are generally, through not necessarily,
under seal, and are usually secured by a mortgage or other
charge upon property; they may be registered or
unregistered. A debenture secured by a mortgage on
specific property is called a

{mortgage debenture}; one secured by a floating charge (which
see), a

{floating debenture}; one not secured by any charge

{a naked debenture}. In general the term debenture in British
usage designates any security issued by companies other
than their shares, including, therefore, what are in the
United States commonly called {bonds}. When used in the
United States debenture generally designates an instrument
secured by a floating charge junior to other charges
secured by fixed mortgages, or, specif., one of a series
of securities secured by a group of securities held in
trust for the benefit of the debenture holders.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

debenture
n 1: a bond that is backed by the credit of the issuer but not by
any specific collateral [syn: {unsecured bond}, {debenture
bond}] [ant: {secured bond}]
2: a certificate or voucher acknowledging a debt


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