Hypo-thecate is a term used in finance and banking and refers to the act of pledging assets as collateral for a loan. Synonyms for hypo-thecate include pledge, mortgage, and collateralize. A person or entity may hypo-thecate assets such as property or stocks in order to secure a loan from a financial institution. Other synonyms for hypo-thecate include hypothec, encumber, and secure. In the context of business and finance, hypo-thecate is an essential tool for raising capital. The term can also be used in legal contexts to describe the act of creating a lien or a charge on assets.