debtor
UK: ˈdɛtə | US: ˈdɛtər
n. a person or entity that owes money or is under obligation to pay or perform something.
The word "debtor" originates from Middle English detour, derived from Old French detour, which itself comes from Latin debitor (from debere "to owe"). The root debt traces back to Latin debitum ("something owed"), while the suffix -or is a Latin agentive suffix indicating "one who does." Over time, the spelling evolved to align with the Latin root, though the "b" in "debt" became silent in pronunciation. The word reflects a clear legal and financial concept of obligation.
The court ordered the debtor to repay the loan within six months.
As a debtor, he struggled to meet his financial obligations.
The company filed a lawsuit against the debtor for unpaid invoices.
She negotiated a payment plan with her debtor to avoid legal action.
In bankruptcy cases, debtors may seek protection from creditors.