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duty

n. C / U
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈdjuti// UK //djˈuːti// du·ty Archaic General-service Humorous

n. something that you must do because it is your job or because you feel it is the right thing to do.

n. a moral or legal obligation; a responsibility or task required by one's position or circumstances.


SIMPLE

It is my duty to report any safety problems I see.

CONTEXTUAL

The security guard felt it was his duty to stay at his post until the replacement arrived.

COMPLEX

While the legal requirements are clear, the ethical duty of a physician often extends beyond mere compliance with hospital regulations to include the holistic well-being of the patient.

Synonyms
Origin

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

Usage

Often used with the verbs 'do', 'perform', or 'fulfill'. When referring to a tax on goods, it is usually countable.

Pitfall

I have the duty of clean the roomI have the duty to clean the roomWhen followed by an action, duty typically takes a 'to-infinitive' rather than 'of' + gerund.

Idioms2 entries

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