amortize
A*mor"tize, v. t. Etym: [OE. amortisen, LL. amortisare, admortizare, F. amortir to sell in mortmain, to extinguish; L. ad + mors death. See Mortmain]. 1. To make as if dead; to destroy. [Obs.] Chaucer. 2. (Law) Defn: To alienate in mortmain, that is, to convey to a corporation. See Mortmain. 3. To clear off or extinguish, as a debt, usually by means of a sinking fund.