liquidations
|li-quid-a-tions|
🇺🇸
/ˌlɪkwɪˈdeɪʃənz/
🇬🇧
/ˌlɪkwɪˈdeɪʃ(ə)nz/
(liquidation)
turning assets into cash / settling debts
Etymology
'liquidation' originates from Late Latin, specifically the word 'liquidatio' (from 'liquidare'), where 'liquidus' meant 'fluid' or 'liquid' and 'liquidare' meant 'to make liquid' or 'to melt.'
'liquidatio' passed into Old French and Middle French as 'liquidation' and was borrowed into English (modern sense established by the 17th century); the term moved from a literal sense of making or becoming liquid to financial and legal senses.
Initially it meant 'making liquid' (literal, e.g., melting or liquefying), but over time it evolved into the current meanings related to 'settling accounts' and 'converting assets to cash.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process of closing a company or business by selling its assets to pay creditors; winding up.
Several small firms' liquidations were announced after the market downturn.
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Noun 2
the conversion of assets into cash (often to settle debts or obligations).
The company's rapid liquidations of inventory helped cover immediate liabilities.
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Noun 3
the settlement or closing out of a financial position or transaction (e.g., derivatives, margin calls).
After the margin call, there were several large liquidations of leveraged positions.
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Noun 4
the act of eliminating or removing (often used in political or violent contexts to mean removal or killing of opponents).
Reports spoke of targeted liquidations within the criminal network.
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Last updated: 2026/01/03 03:47