- Owe
- Owe Owe ([=o]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Owed} ([=o]d), ({Ought}
([add]t) obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. {Owing} ([=o]"[i^]ng).] [OE.
owen, awen, aghen, to have, own, have (to do), hence, owe,
AS. [=a]gan to have; akin to G. eigen, a., own, Icel. eiga to
have, Dan. eie, Sw. ["a]ga, Goth. ['a]igan, Skr. [imac][,c].
[root]110. Cf. {Ought}, v., 2d {Own}, {Fraught}.]
1. To possess; to have, as the rightful owner; to own. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
Thou dost here usurp The name thou ow'st not. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. To have or possess, as something derived or bestowed; to be obliged to ascribe (something to some source); to be indebted or obliged for; as, he owed his wealth to his father; he owed his victory to his lieutenants. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
O deem thy fall not owed to man's decree. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
3. Hence: To have or be under an obigation to restore, pay, or render (something) in return or compensation for something received; to be indebted in the sum of; as, the subject owes allegiance; the fortunate owe assistance to the unfortunate. [1913 Webster]
The one ought five hundred pence, and the other fifty. --Bible (1551). [1913 Webster]
A son owes help and honor to his father. --Holyday. [1913 Webster]
Note: Owe was sometimes followed by an objective clause introduced by the infinitive. ``Ye owen to incline and bow your heart.'' --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
4. To have an obligation to (some one) on account of something done or received; to be indebted to; as, to owe the grocer for supplies, or a laborer for services. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
