n. An informal system for transferring money, especially across borders, in which local agents disperse or collect money or goods on behalf of friends, relatives, or other agents without legal protection or supervision, trusting that all remaining obligations will be settled through future transactions. [Arabic ḥawāla, bill of exchange, from ḥāla, to change, turn; see ḥwl in the Appendix of Semitic roots.] |
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