(law) That part of the entire indebtedness of a corporation or state that is represented by bonds it has issued; a debt contracted under the obligation of a bond.

(finance) The amount that the purchaser pays in buying a bond that exceeds the face value or call value of the bond.

(law) A reduction from the face amount of a bond that occurs where bonds are sold on the market for cash at a price less than the face amount. Since bonds mature years after issue, they are discounted to reflect present value.

(law) The offering of bonds for sale to investors.

(law) A kind of government bond that is a charge against the taxpayers generally, as distinguished from bonds for improvements, the cost of which is charged to the property specially benefited.

(law) Bonds issued in a series by a public entity that are payable at different times.

(law) A bond that is recorded on the books of the issuer by the trustee, with interest paid by mail to the holder of record.

(law) A bond issued by one party, the surety, guaranteeing that he will perform certain acts promised by another or pay a stipulated sum, up to the bond limit, in lieu of performance, should the principle fail to perform.

(law) A contractor's bond, guaranteeing that the contractor will perform the contract and providing that, in the event of default, the surety may complete the contract or pay damages up to the bond limit.

(law) A negotiable loan instrument payable to its holder (bearer) by the issuer according to preset conditions. The owner must safeguard bearer bonds to prevent loss; interest is usually paid by coupon redemptions.