\Owe\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Owed}, ({Ought}obs.); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Owing}.] [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. ["a]ga, Goth.
['a]igan, Skr. ?. ????. Cf. {Ought}, v., 2d {Own},
{Fraught}.]
1. To possess; to have, as the rightful owner; to own. [Obs.]
         Thou dost here usurp The name thou ow'st not.
                                               --Shak.
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.
         O deem thy fall not owed to man's decree. --Pope.
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.
         The one ought five hundred pence, and the other
         fifty.                                --Bible
                                               (1551).
         A son owes help and honor to his father. --Holyday.
Note: Owe was sometimes followed by an objective clause
      introduced by the infinitive. ``Ye owen to incline and
      bow your heart.'' --Chaucer.
4. To have an obligation to (some one) on account of
   something done or received; to be indebted to; as, to iwe
   the grocer for supplies, or a laborer for services.