I. ˈdü-tē also ˈdyü- noun
( plural duties )
Etymology: Middle English duete, from Anglo-French deueté, dueté, from deu due
Date: 13th century
1. : conduct due to parents and superiors : respect
2.
a. : obligatory tasks, conduct, service, or functions that arise from one's position (as in life or in a group)
b.
(1) : assigned service or business
(2) : active military service
(3) : a period of being on duty
3.
a. : a moral or legal obligation
b. : the force of moral obligation
4. : tax ; especially : a tax on imports
5.
a. : work 1a
b.
(1) : the service required (as of an electric machine) under specified conditions
(2) : functional application : use
got double duty out of the trip
(3) : use as a substitute
making the word do duty for the thing — Edward Sapir
Synonyms: see function , task
•
- off duty
- on duty
II. adjective
Date: 1806
1. : done as a duty
2. : being on duty : assigned to specified tasks or functions
the duty officer