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créance

debt, claim (legal)

noun kreh-AHNS Rare
People & Society Money

Origin: from Old French creance, from croire (to believe, trust)

Usage Note

Créance is a legal and financial term denoting a creditor's right to claim repayment of a debt; the holder is a créancier (creditor). It is distinct from dette (debt seen from the debtor's side). The related phrase lettre de créance refers to credentials or letters of credence presented by a diplomat.

Examples

"La banque a cédé la créance à une société de recouvrement."

Natural Translation

The bank transferred the debt claim to a collection agency.

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