In the 16th century, Turkish women could divorce their husbands if the man failed to keep his family’s pot filled with coffee.
ARREAR
Etymology
Adverb
arrear (comparative more arrear, superlative most arrear)
(obsolete) Towards the rear, backwards. [14th-16th c.]
(obsolete) Behind time; overdue. [15th-19th c.]
Noun
arrear (plural arrears)
Work to be done, obligation.
Unpaid debt.
That which is in the rear or behind.
Source: Wiktionary
Ar*rear", adv. Etym: [OE. arere, OF. arere, ariere, F. arrière, fr. L. ad + retro backward. See Rear.]
Definition: To or in the rear; behind; backwards. [Obs.] Spenser.
Ar*rear", n.
Definition: 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. Locke. 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. In arrear or In arrears, behind; backward; behindhand; in debt.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
15 April 2025
DOOMED
(adjective) marked by or promising bad fortune; “their business venture was doomed from the start”; “an ill-fated business venture”; “an ill-starred romance”; “the unlucky prisoner was again put in irons”- W.H.Prescott
Coffee Trivia
