Real Estate

Drainage is a noun referring to the system or process by which water or other liquid is drained away, or to the channel or conduit that carries away excess liquid. It can also describe the act of draining or the waste liquid itself. In medical or technical contexts, it may denote a pathway or opening that allows drainage from a body or structure.

Earthquake (noun) refers to a sudden, violent shaking of the ground caused by movements within the earth or eruptions near its surface. It can also describe a seismic event of any scale, including data or systems disruptions. In everyday use, it often appears in discussions of natural disasters, geology, and emergency planning. The term is widely understood and neutral in tone, suitable for technical and general contexts.

Eaves (noun) refers to the projecting edge of a roof that overhangs the walls of a building. It can also denote the space beneath such an overhang where rain may drip. The term is often used in architecture and traditional house descriptions. Pronounced with a long

Equity is a noun referring to fairness or impartiality, often in contexts of law, finance, or social policy. It can denote the value of an ownership interest in an asset or the principle that individuals should be treated fairly. In business, equity represents ownership shares, while in ethics it emphasizes just treatment and equal opportunities. It is pronounced with two syllables: E-qui-ty.

Escrow is a legal arrangement in which a third party holds and regulates funds or documents until specified conditions are met. It ensures impartiality in transactions, protecting both buyer and seller. The term also denotes the funds or documents held under such an arrangement. Essentially, escrow creates a safeguarded intermediary step in a deal.

Estoppel is a legal principle prohibiting a person from asserting something contrary to what is implied by their previous actions, statements, or deeds when another party has relied on them. It prevents unfair outcomes by preserving the integrity of commitments and representations already made. In practice, estoppel protects against inconsistent positions that would harm another who acted on those representations.

Facade (noun) refers to the front face or outer appearance of a building, often decorative and imposing. It can also describe a superficial or deceptive outward appearance. In everyday use, it commonly means the exterior facade of architecture, or a figurative front that a person or organization presents to others.

Fascia is a sheet or band of connective tissue that surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, helping to support and stabilize them. It forms a continuous network throughout the body and plays a key role in movement, force transmission, and proprioception. In anatomy, fascia is typically categorized by location (e.g., superficial fascia, deep fascia) and its functional properties.

A fiduciary is a person or organization that has the legal duty to act in the best interests of another party, typically in financial, legal, or corporate matters. Fiduciaries must avoid conflicts of interest and act with loyalty, care, and prudence. The term emphasizes trust-based responsibilities rather than ownership of assets.

Garage (noun) refers to a building or part of a building used for housing vehicles or for storage, often attached to a home. In conversation it can also denote a place for DIY projects or a workspace. The term implies a practical, sometimes casual utility space, with variations in usage by region and context.

Granite is a coarse-grained igneous rock composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica. It forms from slowly cooling magma, yielding a granular texture. As a noun, it also denotes a hard, durable material often used in construction and sculpture, valued for its strength and natural beauty.

Hinge is a movable joint or mechanism that connects two objects, allowing limited rotation. It also serves as a point of pivotal connection or influence where a decision or event can swing one way or another. In everyday use, it conveys a turning point or critical link between components, circumstances, or ideas.

Indemnity is a legal or contractual promise to compensate for harm or loss, typically by paying money to cover damages. It also refers to protection against such liability. The term is often used in insurance, contracts, and tort law to allocate risk and ensure compensation for specified harms.

Instrument (n.) a tool or device designed for a particular purpose, especially one used to perform or operate something. It can also refer to a musical device producing sound. In everyday language, it denotes tangible means to achieve a task or a musical object. The term encompasses physical implements, devices, or arrangements that facilitate action or expression.

Insulation is a material or process that prevents the passage of heat, sound, or electricity. In everyday use, it typically refers to materials embedded in walls, pipes, or appliances to reduce heat loss or gain and improve energy efficiency. It can also refer to the act of insulating something, or the state of being insulated.

Insurance is a contract in which a company provides financial protection or reimbursement against losses in exchange for premiums. It covers specified risks and events, compensating the insured or beneficiary according to policy terms. In everyday speech, it often functions as a topic of business, law, and consumer protection, with emphasis on certainty, risk management, and reliability.

Lien is a legal claim against a property or asset, securing payment for a debt or obligation. In law, a lien can attach to real estate, vehicles, or other property, giving the holder a creditor right that may be enforced if the debtor defaults. The term also appears in broader contexts to indicate a right or interest that binds the property for the obligation.

Lienholder is a noun referring to a person or entity that holds a lien on property, giving them a legal claim to the asset until a debt is satisfied. It denotes a secured creditor with a lien right, typically in real estate or asset finance. The term emphasizes the party’s position of financial interest rather than ownership.

Masonry is the craft or trade of building structures from individual units of stone, brick, or similar materials, typically held together with mortar. It also refers to the communal work and the physical structures produced by that craft. The term emphasizes technical skill, measurement, and the arrangement of units for strength and aesthetics.

Mezzanine (noun) refers to a low-ceilinged floor between main floors of a building, typically serving as a partial story or gallery. It is often used for storage, seating, or display space and is smaller than a full upper floor. The term is commonly encountered in architecture, real estate, and interior design contexts.

Mortar is a noun meaning a bowl-shaped vessel used for pounding and grinding substances, or a substance used in construction to bind bricks, stones, or tiles together when mixed with a binder like cement. It can also refer to the act of pounding in a mortar and pestle. In modern contexts, it often designates the binding material in masonry and the tool’s action.

Mortgagor is a legal term for a person or entity that borrows money to purchase real estate and pledges the property as security for the loan. The mortgagor conveys an interest in the property to the lender through a mortgage, with the right to redeem it upon repayment. In practice, the mortgagor is contrasted with the mortgagee, the lender receiving the security interest.

Mortise is a slots-and-tenons term in carpentry: a hole or groove cut into a piece of wood to receive a tenon, forming a mortise-and-tenon joint. The word denotes both the hollowed slot and the joining technique, and is used by builders, woodworkers, and historians when describing traditional furniture and framing methods. It is pronounced with two syllables, emphasizing the first: MOR-tis.