%amortize%

v. t. [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) To alienate in mortmain, that is, to convey to a corporation. See Mortmain. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To clear off or extinguish, as a debt, usually by means of a sinking fund. [ 1913 Webster ]