asset

Definitions

A hidden member of the sat- family. It came through Anglo-French asetz, from Latin ad satis ('to enough'), a legal phrase meaning 'enough property to settle a dead person's debts.' The 'enough to pay with' sense hardened into the modern 'thing of value you own.'

Why It Means This

Asset is one of those words whose origin no one would guess: it literally hides satis, 'enough.' In old law, the assets of an estate were the property 'enough' to cover its debts. From there it broadened to any valuable possession, and then figuratively to a valuable quality or person — your patience is an asset, she's an asset to the team. Spelling quirk: asset is singular (one asset), even though it looks like a plural of a nonexistent 'asse.'

Common Collocations

• 1.valuable asset宝贵资产
• 2.company asset公司资产
• 3.total assets总资产
• 4.fixed assets固定资产
• 5.asset to the team团队的得力干将

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The house is the family's most valuable asset.

• 2.

  Her calm under pressure is a real asset at work.

• 3.

  The company sold off its assets to pay creditors.