Bedebt

/bɪˈdɛbt/ verb

Definition

To cause to be in debt; to put into debt or to obligate financially.

Etymology

From Middle English 'be-' (prefix making something happen) + 'debt' (money owed). This causative verb was used but is now archaic.

Kelly Says

The word 'bedebt' is a perfect example of how English kings and nobles created verbs from nouns—you could 'bedebt' someone through war reparations or extortive taxation, making the financial state permanent.

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