The word amortize -- "gradually write off the initial cost of (an asset) over a period" -- denotes exactly this concept in the English language. As in, "the ma

The word amortize -- "gradually write off the initial cost of (an asset) over a period" -- denotes exactly this concept in the English language. As in, "the market price of a CPU includes amortization of the initial R&D effort over the lifetime sales of the CPU". The problem is that it means something more specific to accountants and lawyers in practice.