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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Owe \Owe\ ([=o]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Owed} ([=o]d), ({Ought}
([add]t) obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. {Owing} ([=o]"[i^]ng).] [OE.
owen, awen, aghen, to have, own, have (to do), hence, owe,
AS. [=a]gan to have; akin to G. eigen, a., own, Icel. eiga to
have, Dan. eie, Sw. [aum]ga, Goth. ['a]igan, Skr. [imac][,c].
[root]110. Cf. {Ought}, v., 2d {Own}, {Fraught}.]
1. To possess; to have, as the rightful owner; to own. [Obs.]
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Thou dost here usurp
The name thou ow'st not. --Shak.
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2. To have or possess, as something derived or bestowed; to
be obliged to ascribe (something to some source); to be
indebted or obliged for; as, he owed his wealth to his
father; he owed his victory to his lieutenants. --Milton.
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O deem thy fall not owed to man's decree. --Pope.
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3. Hence: To have or be under an obigation to restore, pay,
or render (something) in return or compensation for
something received; to be indebted in the sum of; as, the
subject owes allegiance; the fortunate owe assistance to
the unfortunate.
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The one ought five hundred pence, and the other
fifty. --Bible
(1551).
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A son owes help and honor to his father. --Holyday.
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Note: Owe was sometimes followed by an objective clause
introduced by the infinitive. "Ye owen to incline and
bow your heart." --Chaucer.
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4. To have an obligation to (some one) on account of
something done or received; to be indebted to; as, to owe
the grocer for supplies, or a laborer for services.
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