1. A period when the government restricts or immobilizes certain commercial activity.
credit freeze. A period when the government restricts bank-lending.
wage-and-price freeze. A period when the government forbids the increase of wages and prices.
2. A recapitalization of a closed corporation so that the value of its existing capital is concentrated primarily in preferred stock rather than in common stock. • By freezing capital, the owner can transfer the common stock to heirs without taxation while continuing to enjoy preferred-stock income during the owner’s lifetime, while the common stock grows.
freeze, vb.
1. To cause to become fixed and unable to increase (to freeze interest rates) (to freeze prices).
2. To make immobile by government mandate or banking action (to freeze assets).
3. To cease physical movement, esp. when ordered by a law enforcement officer (the police officer shouted at the suspect to freeze).
