amortize
UK: əˈmɔːtaɪz | US: əˈmɔːrtaɪz
vt. To gradually reduce or pay off a debt over time through periodic payments.
vt. To write off the cost of an asset gradually over its useful life (accounting).
vt. (Archaic) To deaden or mitigate the impact of something (e.g., a shock or loss).
amortize = a<to, toward> + mort<death> + ize<verb suffix>
- a- (prefix): From Latin ad- ("to, toward"), indicating direction or purpose.
- mort (root): From Latin mors ("death"), referring to the concept of extinguishing or eliminating.
- -ize (suffix): A verb-forming suffix from Greek -izein, meaning "to make or cause to become."
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Medieval Latin amortizare ("to kill, extinguish"), derived from ad mortem ("to death"). It originally described the process of "killing" a debt by gradually paying it off, metaphorically likening debt repayment to a slow death. The accounting sense emerged later, extending the idea of gradual reduction to asset costs.
The loan will be amortized over 20 years with fixed monthly payments.
Companies amortize intangible assets like patents to reflect their declining value.
The financial advisor suggested amortizing the mortgage early to save on interest.
In medieval times, "amortize" could mean to dull the pain of a wound.
The software’s cost was amortized across three fiscal years.