Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Debt

Debt , noun

[Old English dette, French dette, Late Latin debita, from Latin debitus owed, past participle of debere to owe, prop., to have on loan; de- + habere to have. See Habit, and compare 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. — Shakespeare
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
Collocations (2)
Bond debt or Book debt , etc. See under Bond, Book, etc.
Debt of nature , death.