floating debenture
(gcide) | Debenture \De*ben"ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. debentur they are due,
fr. debere to owe; cf. F. debentur. So called because these
receipts began with the words Debentur mihi.]
1. A writing acknowledging a debt; a writing or certificate
signed by a public officer, as evidence of a debt due to
some person; the sum thus due.
[1913 Webster]
2. A customhouse certificate entitling an exporter of
imported goods to a drawback of duties paid on their
importation. --Burrill.
[1913 Webster]
Note: It is applied in England to deeds of mortgage given by
railway companies for borrowed money; also to municipal
and other bonds and securities for money loaned.
[1913 Webster]
3. Any of various instruments issued, esp. by corporations,
as evidences of debt. Such instruments (often called
debenture bonds) are generally, through not necessarily,
under seal, and are usually secured by a mortgage or other
charge upon property; they may be registered or
unregistered. A debenture secured by a mortgage on
specific property is called a
mortgage debenture; one secured by a floating charge (which
see), a
floating debenture; one not secured by any charge
a naked debenture. In general the term debenture in British
usage designates any security issued by companies other
than their shares, including, therefore, what are in the
United States commonly called bonds. When used in the
United States debenture generally designates an instrument
secured by a floating charge junior to other charges
secured by fixed mortgages, or, specif., one of a series
of securities secured by a group of securities held in
trust for the benefit of the debenture holders.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.] |