1. that which one needs must pay, an obligation, debt , (Odyssey by Homer); a debt for stolen cattle , (Iliad by Homer); χρεῖος ἀποστήσασθαι to pay a debt in full, (Iliad by Homer); ἀρᾶς τίνει χρ. pays the debt demanded by the curse, (Aeschulus Tragicus); χρέος πόλει προσάπτειν to attach a further debt , i.e. guilt to the city, (Sophocles Tragicus); χρέος ἀποδιδόναι to repay a debt , (Herdotus Historicus):—;in plural debts , χρειῶν λύσις (Hesiod); τὴν οὐσίαν ἅπασαν χρέα κατέλιπε left all the property in outstanding debts , (Demosthenes Orator)

2. a needful business, an affair, matter , ἑὸν αὐτοῦ χρεῖος (Odyssey by Homer): a requirement, a purpose , (Sophocles Tragicus): with genitive, like χάριν, for the sake of , σὸν οὐκ ἔλασσον ἢ κείνης χρέος (Euripides)

3. like χρῆμα, a thing , τί χρέο; = τί χρῆμ; wherefore? (Aeschulus Tragicus); ἐφ᾽ ὅ τι χρ. ἐμόλετ; (Euripides)

4. in (Odyssey by Homer), ἦλθον Τειρεσίαο κατὰ χρέος seems to be = Τειρεσίᾳ χρησόμενος, I came to consult him:—;but, κατὰ χρέος according to what is due , as is meet , (Homeric Hymns)

5. a duty, task, charge, office , (Pindar) (ML)