Fore*close" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Foreclosed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Foreclosing (?).] [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.]
To shut up or out; to preclude; to stop; to prevent; to bar; to exclude.
The embargo with Spain foreclosed this trade.
Carew.
To foreclose a mortgager Law, to cut him off by a judgment of court from the power of redeeming the mortgaged premises, termed his equity of redemption. -- To foreclose a mortgage, (not technically correct, but often used to signify) the obtaining a judgment for the payment of an overdue mortgage, and the exposure of the mortgaged property to sale to meet the mortgage debt.
Wharton.
© Webster 1913.