01 adv. To or in the rear; behind; backwards.
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1.
To or in the rear; behind; backwards.[Obs.]
Entry
2 senses · 2 variants
Webster, 1913
Arrear
· Ar·rear
· IPA /əˈɹɪɹ/
02 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 bee…
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1.
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.“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.
Phrases & compounds
In arrear —
behind; backward; behindhand; in debt.