mid-14c., "in times past," from Old French ariere "behind, backward," from Vulgar Latin *ad retro, from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + retro "behind" (see retro-). Meaning "balance due" dates from early 15c.; phrase in arrears first recorded 1610s, but in arrearages is from late 14c.
例文
1. Davies finished almost two seconds in arrears for third place.
デイビスは2秒も遅れて3位になった。
2.Thousands of its customers are in arrears with loans and mortgage payments.
数千人の顧客がローンや担保ローンの返済を滞納している。/
3.They have promised to pay the arrears over the next five years.
彼らは、次の5年間で期限切れの債務を返済することを保証します。
4.These 50000 arrears cases represent a tiny fraction of all home owners.
この5万件の借金例は、すべての所有者のほんの一部を表しています。
5.Unemployment benefit is paid fortnightly in arrears .