A*mor"tize (#), 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.
2. Law
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.
© Webster 1913.