write-off
write-off
UK[ˈraɪt ɒf]US[ˈraɪt ɔːf]
n
An act of cancelling a debt or acknowledging that a sum of money will not be paid.
n
A reduction in the value of an asset, especially to zero.
n
A thing that is considered a complete failure or loss.
Morpheme Breakdown
write
off
write
record
off
away
Etymology
The term 'write-off' is a phrasal verb nominalization originating from the world of accounting and finance. The verb 'write', with its ancient sense of inscribing a record, combines with the adverbial particle 'off', conveying the concept of removal or cancellation. Literally, it meant to record a debt as being taken away from the books, signifying it would not be collected. Over time, this specific accounting action broadened metaphorically to describe any asset whose value is formally reduced to nothing, and further extended to characterize any venture or endeavor deemed a total loss or failure.
Analysis
Structure: write (record) + off (away)
- write: From Old English 'wrītan' (to score, outline, write), of Germanic origin. In this compound, it functions as a verb meaning to record or inscribe.
- off: From Old English 'of', of Germanic origin, meaning away or from. In this compound, it functions as an adverbial particle indicating removal or cancellation.
Examples
The bank was forced to make a substantial write-off on the unpaid loans.
After the accident, the car was declared a total write-off by the insurance company.
The failed product launch was a complete write-off for the marketing department.