liquidation

 
Pronunciation: /lɪkwɪˈdeɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the process of liquidating a business: the company went into liquidation
  • the conversion of assets into cash (i.e. by selling them).
  • the clearing of a debt.
  • 2 informal the killing of someone, typically by violent means.

Origin:

mid 16th century: from French, from liquider 'liquidate', based on Latin liquidus (see liquid)