Definition of Fund or Funds
To capitalize with a view to the production of interest. Also, to put into the form of bonds, stocks, or other securities, bearing regular interest, and to provide or appropriate a fund or permanent revenue for the payment thereof. An asset or group of assets set aside for a specific purpose. To fund a debt is to pledge a specific fund to keep down the interest and reduce the principal.
A generic term and all-embracing as compared with term "money,” etc., which is specific. A sum of money or other liquid assets set apart for a specific purpose, or available for the payment of general debts, claims, or expenses.
In the plural, this word has a variety of slightly different meanings, as follows: moneys and much more, such as notes, bills, checks, drafts, stocks and bonds, and in broader meaning may include property of every kind. State v. Finney, 141 Kan. 12, 40 P.2d 411, 421. Money in hand, assets, cash, money available for the payment of a debt, legacy, etc. Corporate stocks or government securities; in this sense usually spoken of as the "funds.” Assets, securities, bonds, or revenue of a state or government appropriated for the discharge of its debts. Generally, working capital; sometimes used to refer to cash or to cash and marketable securities.
See also Contingent fund; Current funds; Funded; Funding; General fund; Mutual fund; Revolving fund.
Funded debt. As applied to states or municipal corporations, a funded debt is one for the payment of which (interest and principal) some fund is appropriated, either specifically, or by provision made for future taxation and the quasi pledging in advance of the public revenue. As applied to the financial management of corporations (and sometimes of estates in course of administration or properties under receivership) funding means the borrowing of a sufficient sum of money to discharge a variety of floating or unsecured debts, or debts evidenced by notes or secured by bonds but maturing within a short time, and creating a new debt in lieu thereof, secured by a general mortgage, a series of bonds, or an issue of stock, generally maturing at a more remote period, and often at a lower rate of interest. The new debt thus substituted for the pre-existing debts is called the "funded debt.” This term is very seldom applied to the debts of a private individual; but when so used it must be understood as referring to a debt embodied in securities of a permanent character and to the payment of which certain property has been applied or pledged. See also Funded.
Fund in court. As used in the rule providing for allowance of costs out of a "fund in court,” this is a term of art and is applied where the plaintiffs’ actions have created, preserved or increased property to the benefit of a class of which the plaintiff is not a member. Sarner v. Sarner, 38 N.J. 463, 185 A.2d 851, 853.
Funding system. The practice of borrowing money to defray the expenses of government, and creating a "sinking fund,” designed to keep down interest, and to effect the gradual reduction of the principal debt. See Sinking fund, below.
General fund. This phrase, in many states, is a collective designation of all the assets of the state which furnish the means for the support of government and for defraying the discretionary appropriations of the legislature. Such are distinguished from assets of a special character, such as the school fund. See also General fund.
General revenue fund. As used in connection with municipal finances, term refers to the fund out of which the usual, ordinary, running, and incidental expenses of a municipality are paid.
No funds. This term denotes a lack of assets or money for a specific use. It is the return made by a bank to a check drawn upon it by a person who has no deposit to his credit there; also by an executor, trustee, etc., who has no assets for the specific purpose.
Public funds. An untechnical name for (1) the revenue or money of a government, state, or municipal corporation; (2) the bonds, stocks, or other securities of a national or state government. Money, warrants, or bonds, or other paper having a money value, and belonging to the state, or to any county, city, incorporated town or school district. The term applies to funds of every political subdivision of state wherein taxes are levied for public purposes. Altna Casualty & Surety Co. v. Bramwell, D.C.Or., 12 F.2d 307, 309.
Revolving fund. Usually, a renewable credit over a defined period. In simple parlance it relates usually to a situation where a banker or merchant extends credit for a certain amount which can be paid off from time to time and then credit is again given not to exceed the same amount. It may also mean a fund, which, when reduced, is replenished by new funds from specified sources. Term may refer to a revolving charge account.
Sinking fund. The aggregate of sums of money (as those arising from particular taxes or sources of revenue) set apart and invested, usually at fixed intervals, for the extinguishment of the debt of a government or corporation, by the accumulation of interest. A fund arising from particular taxes, imposts, or duties, which is appropriated towards the payment of the interest due on a public loan and for the gradual payment of the principal. A fund created for extinguishing or paying a funded debt.
Sinking fund tax. A tax raised to be applied to the payment of interest on, and principal of public loan.
That's the definition of Fund or Funds in Black's Law Dictionary 6th Edition. Courtesy of Cekhukum.com.
