arrear

views updated May 29 2018

arrear †adv. backward, behind XIV: sb. (chiefly pl.) liability overdue, debts unpaid XVII. — OF. ariere (mod. arrière), AN. arere :- medL. adretrō, f. ad to (AT) + retrō backward. As sb. arrear(s) took the place of arrearage(s) XIV (now U.S.) — OF. arierages (mod. arrérages), f. ariere; cf. AN. sb. areres XIV.

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