/oh/ , v. , owed, owing .
v.t.
1. to be under obligation to pay or repay: to owe money to the bank; to owe the bank interest on a mortgage.
2. to be in debt to: He says he doesn't owe anybody.
3. to be indebted (to) as the cause or source of: to owe one's fame to good fortune.
4. to have or bear (a feeling or attitude) toward someone or something: to owe gratitude to one's rescuers.
5. Obs. to possess; own.
v.i.
6. to be in debt: Neither lend nor owe. Who owes for the antipasto?
[ bef. 900; ME owen to possess, be under obligation, have to pay; OE agan to possess; c. OHG eigan, ON eiga. See OWN, OUGHT 1 ]