det n. 1
something that is owed,
esp.
money. 2 a
state of
obligation to pay something owed (in debt;
out of debt;
get into debt). ødebt-collector a
person who is employed to collect debts
for creditors. debt of
honour a debt
not legally recoverable, esp. a
sum lost in gambling. in a person's debt
under an obligation to a person. [ME det(te) f. OF dette (later debte) ult. f. L debitum
past part. of debere owe]