DEBET ET DETINET

debet et detinet (dee-bet ordeb-et et det-i-net ordet-[schwa]-n[schwa]t). [Law Latin] Hist. He owes and detains. • This phrase was used in declarations in actions for debt when the original creditor sued the original debtor. The declaration stated that the defendant “owes to” as well as “detains from” the plaintiff the debt or thing in question;