Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Debt \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.



   9. (Chem.) A unit of chemical attraction; as, oxygen has two
      bonds of affinity. It is often represented in graphic
      formul[ae] by a short line or dash. See Diagram of
      {Benzene nucleus}, and {Valence}.

   {Arbitration bond}. See under {Arbitration}.

   {Bond crediter} (Law), a creditor whose debt is secured by a
      bond. --Blackstone.

   {Bond debt} (Law), a debt contracted under the obligation of
      a bond. --Burrows.

   {Bond} (or {lap}) {of a slate}, the distance between the top
      of one slate and the bottom or drip of the second slate
      above, i. e., the space which is covered with three
      thicknesses; also, the distance between the nail of the
      under slate and the lower edge of the upper slate.

   {Bond timber}, timber worked into a wall to tie or strengthen
      it longitudinally.

   Syn: Chains; fetters; captivity; imprisonment.