bankrupt

Definition

In a condition of bankruptcy; unable to pay outstanding debts or meet financial obligations; specifically, having been legally declared insolvent.

Etymology

Partial calque of Italian bancarotta (literally “a broken bench”), from banca (“bank”, literally “bench”) + rotta (“broken, rupted”), which refers to an out-of-business bank, having its bench physically broken, signifying that the working moneylender was insolvent.

Example Sentences

• "a bankrupt merchant"
• ""How did you go bankrupt?" Bill asked. "Two ways," Mike said. "Gradually and then suddenly.""
• "a morally bankrupt politician"