■ noun ( plural duties )
1》 a moral or legal obligation.
2》 a task required as part of one's job.
↘( duties ) performance of prescribed church services by a priest or minister.
3》 a payment levied on the import, export, manufacture, or sale of goods.
↘ Brit. a payment levied on the transfer of property, for licences, and for the legal recognition of documents.
4》 technical the measure of an engine's effectiveness in units of work done per unit of fuel.
Phrases
do ~ as (or for ) serve or act as a substitute for.
on (or off ) ~ engaged (or not engaged) in one's regular work.
Origin
ME: from Anglo-Norman Fr. duete , from OFr. deu (see due ).