Meaning
An action, state of mind, or object one has an obligation to perform for another, adopt toward another, or give to another.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
From Middle English dette, dett, borrowed from Old French dete (French dette), from Medieval Latin dēbita, from Latin dēbitum (“what is owed, a debt, a duty”), neuter of dēbitus, perfect passive participle of dēbeō (“to owe”), contraction of *dehibeō (“I have from”), from de (“from”) + habeō (“to have”). Doublet of debit. Displaced native Old English eofot. The unpronounced "b" in the modern English spelling is a Latinisation from the Latin etymon dēbitum.
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 5 recorded puzzles: