–noun

1.	a state in the W United States, on the Pacific coast. 23,668,562; 158,693 sq. mi. (411,015 sq. km). Capital: Sacramento. Abbreviation: CA (for use with zip code), Cal., Calif.

2.	Gulf of, an arm of the Pacific Ocean, extending NW between the coast of W Mexico and the peninsula of Lower California. ab. 750 mi. (1207 km) long; 62,600 sq. mi. (162,100 sq. km).

c.1290, from O.Fr. dete, from L. debitam "thing owed," neut. pp. of debere "to owe," originally, "keep something away from someone," from de- 1173 "away" + habere "to have" (see habit). Restored spelling after c.1400 from M.E. dette. The KJV has detter three times, debter three times, debtor twice and debtour once.

–noun

1.	an act or instance of consolidating; the state of being consolidated; unification: consolidation of companies.

2.	solidification; strengthening: consolidation of principles and beliefs.

3.	something that is or has been consolidated; a consolidated whole.

4.	Law. a. a statutory combination of two or 92a more corporations. b. the union of two or more claims or actions at law for trial or appeal.

5.	(initial capital letter) a steam locomotive having a two-wheeled front truck, eight driving wheels, and no rear truck.

6.	Pathology. the process of becoming solid, as changing of lung tissue from aerated and elastic to firm in certain diseases.

7.	Geology. lithification.