[debt] n [ME dette, debte, fr. OF dette something owed, fr. (assumed) VL debita, fr. L, pl. of debitum debt, fr. neut. of debitus, pp. of debere to owe, fr. de- + habere to have--more at give] (13c) 1: sin, trespass
2: something owed: obligation
3: a state of owing
4: the common-law action for the recovery of money held to be due -- debt.less adj