DUTY


Meaning of DUTY in English

/ ˈdjuːti; NAmE ˈduːti/ noun ( pl. -ies )

1.

[ C , U ] something that you feel you have to do because it is your moral or legal responsibility :

It is my duty to report it to the police.

Local councillors have a duty to serve the community.

I don't want you to visit me simply out of a sense of duty .

your duties as a parent

to do your duty for your country

2.

[ U ] the work that is your job :

Report for duty at 8 a.m.

—see also night duty

3.

duties [ pl. ] tasks that are part of your job :

I spend a lot of my time on administrative duties.

Your duties will include setting up a new computer system.

—see also heavy-duty ➡ note at task

4.

[ C , U ] duty (on sth) a tax that you pay on things that you buy, especially those that you bring into a country :

customs / excise / import duties

duty on wine and beer

—see also death duty , stamp duty ➡ note at tax

IDIOMS

- on / off duty

—more at bounden , line noun

••

WORD ORIGIN

late Middle English : from Anglo-Norman French duete , from Old French deu owed, based on Latin debitus owed, from debere owe .

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.