/euh rear"/ , n.
1. Usually, arrears . the state of being behind or late, esp. in the fulfillment of a duty, promise, obligation, or the like.
2. Often, arrears . something overdue in payment; a debt that remains unpaid.
[ 1300-50; n. use of arrear (adv., now obs.), ME arere behind ad retro. See AD-, RETRO- ]