v.tr. 1 a be under obligation (to a person etc.) to pay or repay (money etc.) (we owe you five pounds; owe more than I can pay). b (absol., usu. foll. by for) be in debt (still owe for my car). 2 (often foll. by to) render (gratitude etc., a person honour, gratitude, etc.) (owe grateful thanks to). 3 (usu. foll. by to) be indebted to a person or thing for (we owe to Newton the principle of gravitation). owe a person a grudge cherish resentment against a person. owe it to oneself (often foll. by to + infin.) need (to do) something to protect one's own interests.
[ OE agan (see OUGHT(1)) f. Gmc ]