əu 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). øowe 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]