[owe] vb owed ; ow.ing [ME, to possess, own, owe, fr. OE agan; akin to OHG eigun (1st & 3d pl. pres. indic.) possess, Skt ise he possesses] vt (bef. 12c) 1 a archaic: possess, own b: to have or bear (an emotion or attitude) to someone or something "~s the boss a grudge"
2. a (1): to be under obligation to pay or repay in return for something received: be indebted in the sum of "~s me $5" (2): to be under obligation to render (as duty or service) "I ~ you a favor" b: to be indebted to "~s the grocer for supplies"
3: to be indebted for "owed his wealth to his father" "~s much to good luck" ~ vi 1: to be in debt "~s for his house"
2: to be attributable "an idea that ~s to Greek philosophy"