National Debt
Defined in 3 dictionaries — Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Black's (1891)
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
A sum owing by the government to individuals who have advanced money to it for public purposes, either in anticipation of the produce of the particular branches of the revenue, or on credit of the general power which the government possesses of levying the amount necessary to pay interest for the money borrowed or to repay the principal. See Funding System.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
The money owing by government to some of the public, the interest of which is paid out of the taxes raised by the whole of the public.
Defined under National in Black's Law Dictionary.
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
The money owing by government to some of the public, the interest of which is paid out of the taxes raised by the whole of the public.