GC: n

S: Investop – https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/promissorynote.asp (last access: 1 December 2024); WC – https://www.workcapital.es/en/financial-news/legal-requirements-of-a-promissory-note/ (last access: 1 December 2024); Legalzoom – https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/what-is-a-promissory-note (last access: 1 December 2024).

N: 1. – promissory (adj): mid-15c., promissorie, “conveying or containing a promise,” from Medieval Latin promissorius, from Latin promissus, past participle of promittere (see promise (n.)). The legal promissory note, a signed document containing a written promise to pay a specified sum to certain persons, is recorded by 1670s.
also from mid-15c.

– note (n): c. 1300, “a song, music, melody; instrumental music; a bird-song; a musical note of a definite pitch,” from Old French note and directly from Latin nota “letter, character, note,” originally “a mark, sign, means of recognition,” which traditionally has been connected to notus, past participle of noscere “to come to know,” but de Vaan reports this is “impossible,” and with no attractive alternative explanation, it is of unknown origin.

Meaning “notice, attention” is from early 14c.; that of “reputation, fame” is from late 14c. From late 14c. as “mark, sign, or token by which a thing may be known.” From late 14c. as “a sign by which a musical tone is represented to the eye.” Meaning “a brief written abstract of facts” is from 1540s; meaning “a short, informal written communication” is from 1590s. From 1550s as “a mark in the margin of a book calling attention to something in the text,” hence “a statement subsidiary to the text adding or elucidating something.” From 1680s as “a paper acknowledging a debts, etc.” In perfumery, “a basic component of a fragrance which gives it its character,” by 1905.

2. Finance. promissory note, short-term credit instrument consisting of a written promise by one person (maker) to pay a specified amount of money to another on demand or at a given future date. Promissory notes are often negotiable and may be secured by the pledge of collateral.

Promissory notes were in use in Europe during the Renaissance. The instrument changed substantially during the 20th century, both in form and use; clauses were added, including those that authorize the sale of collateral, permit extensions of time, and permit acceleration of payment in event of default.

3. Business and Administrative Documents; Loans; Negotiable Instruments (Commercial Law): promissory note, note of hand.

• A written promise to pay a specified sum of money to an individual or bearer on a certain date.

4. Finance – Banking – Credit policy: promissory note.

• Unconditional promise in writing, made by one person to another and signed by the maker, engaging to pay a specified sum of money to (or to the order of) a specified person or to the bearer, either on demand or at a fixed or determinable future time

S: 1. Etymonline – https://www.etymonline.com/word/promissory, https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=note (last access: 1 December 2024). 2. EncBrit – https://www.britannica.com/money/promissory-note?oasmId=207895 (last access: 1 December 2024). 3. TERMIUM PLUS – https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-eng.html?lang=eng&i=1&srchtxt=pagar%C3%A9&index=alt&codom2nd_wet=1#resultrecs (last access: 1 December 2024). 4. IATE – https://iate.europa.eu/search/result/1732984395783/1 (last access: 1 December 2024).

SYN: note of hand

S: TERMIUM PLUS – https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-eng.html?lang=eng&i=1&srchtxt=pagar%C3%A9&index=alt&codom2nd_wet=1#resultrecs (last access: 1 December 2024)

CR: bill of exchange