Adjacent Words

Arrear definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

ARRE'AR, adv. [L. ad and retro.]
Behind; at the hinder part. In this sense obsolete. But from this use, we retain the word as a noun in the phrase, in arrear, to signify behind in payment.
ARRE'AR, n. That which is behind in payment, or which remains unpaid, though due. It is generally used in the plural, as the arrears of rent, wages and taxes; and supposes a part of the money already paid.

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Middle English arrere behind, backward, from Anglo-French arere, from Vulgar Latin *ad retro backward, from Latin ad to + retro backward, behind — more at at, retro- Date: 1620 1. the state of being behind in the discharge of obligations — usually used in plural <in arrears with the rent> 2. a. an unfinished duty — usually used in plural <arrears of work that have piled up> b. an unpaid and overdue debt — usually used in plural <paying off the arrears of the past several months>

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Arrear Ar*rear", adv. [OE. arere, OF. arere, ariere, F. arri[`e]re, fr. L. ad + retro backward. See Rear.] To or in the rear; behind; backwards. [Obs.] --Spenser.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Arrear Ar*rear", n. That which is behind in payment, or which remains unpaid, though due; esp. a remainder, or balance which remains due when some part has been paid; arrearage; -- commonly used in the plural, as, arrears of rent, wages, or taxes. --Locke. For much I dread due payment by the Greeks Of yesterday's arrear. --Cowper. I have a large arrear of letters to write. --J. D. Forbes. In arrear or In arrears, behind; backward; behindhand; in debt.