v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Owed (Ought mark>obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. Owing ] [ OE. owen, awen, aghen, to have, own, have (to do), hence, owe, AS. āgan to have; akin to G. eigen, a., own, Icel. eiga to have, Dan. eie, Sw. äga, Goth. áigan, Skr. īç. √110. Cf. Ought, v., 2d Own, Fraught. ] 1. To possess; to have, as the rightful owner; to own. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
Thou dost here usurp
The name thou ow'st not. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
O deem thy fall not owed to man's decree. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
The one ought five hundred pence, and the other fifty. Bible (1551). [ 1913 Webster ]
A son owes help and honor to his father. Holyday. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ Owe was sometimes followed by an objective clause introduced by the infinitive. “Ye owen to incline and bow your heart.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]