Middle English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

Borrowed from Old French detour, from Latin debitor; equivalent to dette +‎ -our.

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

dettour (plural dettours)

  1. One who is indebted to another (financially, for their help, etc.)
  2. One who must atone for their wrongs against another.
    • c. 1395, John Wycliffe, John Purvey [et al.], transl., Bible (Wycliffite Bible (later version), MS Lich 10.)‎[1], published c. 1410, Matheu 6:9-14, page 3r, column 2; republished as Wycliffe's translation of the New Testament, Lichfield: Bill Endres, 2010:
      and þus ȝe ſchulen pꝛeie / Oure fadir þat art in heuenes .· halewid be þi name / þi kyngdom come to / be þi wille doon in erþe .· as in heuene / ȝyue to vs þis dai oure bꝛeed ouer oþir ſubſtaunce / and foꝛȝyue to vs oure dettis .· as we foꝛȝyuen to oure dettouris / and lede vs not in to temptacioun .· but delyuere vs fro yuele amen []
      You should pray like this: "Our father that's in heaven, your name will be sanctified; / your Kingdom will come; your will will be done on Earth, like in heaven. / Give us our bread over other substances, / forgive us of our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us, / and don't bring us into temptation, but instead save us from evil. Amen."

Descendants edit

  • English: debtor

References edit