owe
English
Etymology
From Middle English owen, from Old English āgan, from Proto-Germanic *aiganą, from Proto-Indo-European *eik- (“ability, possession”). See also own, ought.
Pronunciation
Verb
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
- 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
to be under an obligation
to be in debt
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