ˈdju:tɪ n. (pl. -ies) 1 a a
moral or
legal obligation; a
responsibility (his duty to
report it). b
the binding force of
what is
right (strong
sense of duty). c what is required of
one (do one's duty). 2
payment to the
public revenue, esp.: a
that levied on the
import,
export,
manufacture, or
sale of goods (customs duty). b that levied on the
transfer of
property, licences, the legal
recognition of documents, etc. (death duty;
probate duty). 3 a job or
function (his duties as caretaker). 4 the
behaviour due to a
superior;
deference,
respect. 5 the
measure of an engine's effectiveness in units of
work done per unit of
fuel. 6 Eccl. the
performance of
church services. ødo duty
for serve as or pass for (something else). duty-bound obliged by duty. duty-free (of goods) on
which duty is
not leviable. duty-free
shop a shop at an
airport etc. at which duty-free goods can be
bought. duty-officer the
officer currently on duty. duty-paid (of goods) on which duty
has been paid. duty
visit a visit paid
from obligation, not from
pleasure. on (or off) duty
engaged (or not engaged) in one's work. [AF dewet÷, duet÷ (as DUE)]
