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.
Hear it pronounced