insolvent definition | Dictionary.com

in⋅sol⋅vent

[in-sol-vuh

nt]

–adjective

1.	not solvent; unable to satisfy creditors or discharge liabilities, either because liabilities exceed assets or because of inability to pay debts as they mature.

2.	pertaining to bankrupt persons or bankruptcy.

–noun

3.	a person who is insolvent.

Origin:
1585–95; in- ³ + solvent

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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in·sol·vent (ĭn-sŏl'vənt) Pronunciation Key
adj.

1. Unable to meet debts or discharge liabilities; bankrupt.
2. Insufficient to meet all debts, as an estate or fund.
Of or relating to bankrupt persons or entities.

n. A bankrupt.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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insolvent

1591, "unable to pay one's debts," from in- "not" + L. solventem "paying" (see solvent). Originally of one who was not a trader; only traders could become bankrupt.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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insolvent
adjective
1.	unable to meet or discharge financial obligations; "an insolvent person"; "an insolvent estate" [ant: solvent]
noun
1.	someone who has insufficient assets to cover their debts [syn: bankrupt]

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Insolvent

Bank"rupt\, a. 1. Being a bankrupt or in a condition of bankruptcy; unable to pay, or legally discharged from paying, one's debts; as, a bankrupt merchant.

2. Depleted of money; not having the means of meeting pecuniary liabilities; as, a bankrupt treasury.

3. Relating to bankrupts and bankruptcy.

4. Destitute of, or wholly wanting (something once possessed, or something one should possess). "Bankrupt in gratitude." --Sheridan.

Bankrupt law, a law by which the property of a person who is unable or unwilling to pay his debts may be taken and distributed to his creditors, and by which a person who has made a full surrender of his property, and is free from fraud, may be discharged from the legal obligation of his debts. See Insolvent, a.

Insolvent

In*sol"ven*cy\, n.; pl. Insolvencies. (Law) (a) The condition of being insolvent; the state or condition of a person who is insolvent; the condition of one who is unable to pay his debts as they fall due, or in the usual course of trade and business; as, a merchant's insolvency. (b) Insufficiency to discharge all debts of the owner; as, the insolvency of an estate.

Act of insolvency. See Insolvent law under Insolvent, a.