Hypotheca
Hypotheca , noun
[Latin, from Greek {not transcribed} a thing subject to some obligation, from {not transcribed} to put under, put down, pledge. See Hypothesis.]
(Rom. Law) An obligation by which property of a debtor was made over to his creditor in security of his debt.
It differed from pledge in regard to possession of the property subject to the obligation; pledge requiring, simple hypotheca not requiring, possession of it by the creditor. The modern mortgage corresponds very closely with it.