Arear

An archaic or dialectal form meaning 'at the rear,' 'behind,' or 'in arrears'; an old variant of 'in arrear.'

From Middle English, composed of 'a-' (prefix meaning 'in' or 'at') + 'rear' (back part). The word combines Old French and Old English elements, with 'rear' coming from Old French 'arrere' (behind), and the 'a-' prefix being English.