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. 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.