owe
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English owen, from Old English āgan, from Proto-Germanic *aiganą, from Proto-Indo-European *eik- (“ability, possession”). See also own, ought.
Pronunciation[edit]
Verb[edit]
owe (third-person singular simple present owes, present participle owing, simple past and past participle owed)
- To be under an obligation to give something back to someone or to perform some action for someone.
- To have debt, to be in debt.
Usage notes[edit]
- The original past tense form was ought, which during Middle English began to be used with indefinite signification and has become a distinct verb. The original past participle has become the adjective own.
Translations[edit]
to be under an obligation
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to be in debt
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