Bankrupt
/ˈbæŋk.rʌpt/noun
A person or business that is unable to pay debts owed.
Did you know?The word comes from an Italian banking custom where a failed money-changer’s bench was broken—bankruptcy was once a visible, symbolic destruction of trust.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval Latin
ML
banca rupta
“broken bench”
15th Century
Italian
banca rotta
“broken bench, ruined money-changer’s stall”
15th Century
French
banqueroute
“bankruptcy, insolvency”
Late 15th Century
English
bankrupt
“insolvent person”
Modern English
English
bankrupt
“unable to pay debts”