Debt (?), n. [OE. dette, F. dette, LL. debita, fr. L. debitus owed, p. p. of debere to owe, prop., to have on loan; de- + habere to have. See Habit, and cf. Debit, Due.]
1. That which is due from one person to another, whether money, goods, or services; that which one person is bound to pay to another, or to perform for his benefit; thing owed; obligation; liability.
Your son, my lord, has paid a soldier's debt.
Shak.
When you run in debt, you give to another power over your liberty.
Franklin.
2. A duty neglected or violated; a fault; a sin; a trespass. "Forgive us our debts."
Matt. vi. 12.
3. Law An action at law to recover a certain specified sum of money alleged to be due.
Burrill.
Bond debt, Book debt, etc. See under Bond, Book, etc. -- Debt of nature, death.
© Webster 1913. | 
