Hypertext Webster Gateway: "debt"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Debt
The Mosaic law encouraged the practice of lending (Deut. 15:7;
Ps. 37:26; Matt. 5:42); but it forbade the exaction of interest
except from foreigners. Usury was strongly condemned (Prov.
28:8; Ezek. 18:8, 13, 17; 22:12; Ps. 15:5). On the Sabbatical
year all pecuniary obligations were cancelled (Deut. 15:1-11).
These regulations prevented the accumulation of debt.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Debt \Debt\, n. [OE. dette, F. dette, LL. debita, fr. L. debitus
owed, p. p. of debere to owe, prop., to have on loan; de- +
habere to have. See {Habit}, and cf. {Debit}, {Due}.]
1. That which is due from one person to another, whether
money, goods, or services; that which one person is bound
to pay to another, or to perform for his benefit; thing
owed; obligation; liability.
Your son, my lord, has paid a soldier's debt.
--Shak.
When you run in debt, you give to another power over
your liberty. --Franklin.
2. A duty neglected or violated; a fault; a sin; a trespass.
``Forgive us our debts.'' --Matt. vi. 12.
3. (Law) An action at law to recover a certain specified sum
of money alleged to be due. --Burrill.
{Bond debt}, {Book debt}, etc. See under {Bond}, {Book}, etc.
{Debt of nature}, death.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
debt
n 1: the state of owing money; "he is badly in debt"
2: the amount that is owed
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