foreclose Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb keep from happening or arising; make impossible
    forbid; prevent; preclude; forestall.
    • My sense of tact forbids an honest answer
    • Your role in the projects precludes your involvement in the competitive project
  2. verb subject to foreclosing procedures; take away the right of mortgagors to redeem their mortgage

WordNet

Fore*close" transitive verb
Etymology
F. forclos, p.p. of forclore to exclude; OF. fors, F. hors, except, outside (fr. L. foris outside) + F. clore to close. See Foreign, and Close, v. t.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Foreclosed ; present participle & verbal noun Foreclosing
Definitions
  1. To shut up or out; to preclude; to stop; to prevent; to bar; to exclude.
    The embargo with Spain foreclosed this trade. Carew.
    Wharton.

Webster 1913