arrear

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an unpaid or overdue amount, now most commonly used in the plural arrears

   The tenant paid the arrear of rent before the court hearing.

2. 2
   noun

   an accumulation of unfinished work or obligations

   After the long illness, she faced an arrear of unanswered letters.

From Middle English arere, through Old French arere, ultimately from Vulgar Latin ad retro ("to the rear"). The spatial idea of being behind developed into the financial sense of a payment left behind or overdue.

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