arrears Hear it!

arrears definition

ar·rears (ə rirz′)

plural noun

  1. unpaid and overdue debts
  2. unfinished business, work, etc.

Etymology: ME arrers < arrere, backward < OFr ariere < VL aretro < L ad, to + retro, behind

arrears Idioms

in arrears

or in arrear
behind in paying a debt, doing one's work, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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