Bankrupt

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈbæŋ.kɹəpt/, /ˈbæŋ.kɹʌpt/
• US IPA: /ˈbæŋk.ɹəpt/, /ˈbæŋk.ɹʌpt/

Origin

From Italian banca rotta, which refers to an out-of-business bank, having its bench physically broken. When a moneylender in Northern Italy became insolvent, they would break the bench they worked from to signify that they were no longer in business.

Full definition of bankrupt

Adjective

1. In a condition of bankruptcy; unable to pay one's debts.a bankrupt merchant
2. Having been legally declared insolvent.
3. Destitute of, or wholly lacking (something once possessed, or something one should possess).a morally bankrupt politician
• Sheridanbankrupt in gratitude

Synonyms

Derived terms

• bankruptcy
• go bankrupt

Verb

1. (transitive) To force into bankruptcy.

Noun

1. One who becomes unable to pay his or her debts; an insolvent person.
2. (UK, legal, obsolete) A trader who secretes himself, or does certain other acts tending to defraud his creditors.