c. 1300, "at a disadvantage;" mid-14c., "in times past;" late 14c., "in or to the rear;" see arrears. Meaning "behind in duties or payments" is from 1620s.
双语例句
1. The bill of the little household, which had been settled weekly , first fell into arrear.
他们这家的账目向来一星期一转,如今忽然付不出来.
来自辞典例句
2. He is six weeks in arrear with his rent.
他已拖欠房租6周.(他拖欠了六个星期的租金. )
来自互联网
3. The arts of medicine and surgery are somewhat in arrear in Africa.