leköt

Leköt is a Hungarian verb meaning to bind, tie up, or commit. It is used in both literal and figurative contexts. Literally, it denotes binding or securing something so that it cannot be moved. In financial language, leköt refers to committing funds for a fixed period by placing them into a term deposit or other locked arrangement. The act of making funds unavailable for withdrawal during the term is called lekötés, and the length of the term is the lekötési idő. Banks often offer higher interest rates for longer lekötések; early withdrawal typically carries penalties or reduced interest.

In contractual or legal language, leköt can mean to bind or obligate by agreement, creating a commitment that restricts the parties' behavior or choices. The adjective or past participle forms include lekötött (bound, secured) and lekötve (bound, secured, as a state).

Etymology: The prefix le- adds a sense of removal or completion to kö t, producing a meaning of “bound up,” “secured,” or “committed.” The word is common in financial contexts, banking product descriptions, and legal documents, but it also appears in everyday speech when discussing binding commitments or reserved resources.

See also: lekötés, lekötni, lekötött betét, fix-term deposit.