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.