English Explanatory Dictionary

duty

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. That which one is morally or legally obligated to do.
  2. The state of being at work and responsible for or doing a particular task.
  3. An excise tax; especially, one on imports or exports.
  4. One's due, something one is owed; a debt or fee.
  5. Respect; reverence; regard; act of respect; homage.
  6. The efficiency of an engine in work done per unit of fuel; particularly, the number of pounds of water which a steam pumping engine can raise one foot by burning one bushel or hundredweight of coal.
  7. The act of urination or defecation, especially for a dog.
name
  1. A surname.

Pronunciation

dyōōtē /ˈdjuː.ti/ jōōtē /ˈd͡ʒuː.ti/ en-uk-duty.ogg dōōtē /ˈdu.ti/ /ˈdu.ɾi/ en-us-duty.ogg

Word forms

duty duties dutie Dutys

Etymology

From Middle English duete, from Middle English dewe + Middle English -te. Equivalent to due + -ty.

Synonyms

obligation excise duty

Antonyms

duty-free right

Related words

due

Derived words

active duty call of duty chimney-duty civic duty countervailing duty customs duty death duty Delivered Duty Paid Delivered Duty Unpaid do one's duty double duty duteous dutiable dutied dutiful dutiless duty ace duty-bound duty bound dutybound duty calls duty card duty cycle duty-free dutyless dutyman duty-man duty man duty manager duty of care duty officer duty of support duty roster duty solicitor duty to retreat estate duty excise duty export duty extra-duty fatigue duty feu duty feu-duty fiduciary duty filial duty fuel duty heavy-duty home duty import duty in the line of duty jury duty legal duty light-duty line of duty moral duty neglect duty nonduty off-duty off duty on-duty on duty
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