DUTY Meaning and
Definition
-
Duty is a noun that refers to a moral or legal obligation to perform a specific action or fulfill a particular role. It is the concept of being responsible for one's actions or commitments, driven by an inherent sense of what is right or expected.
From a legal standpoint, duty refers to an individual's legal obligations in accordance with the law and established regulations, such as the duty of care that doctors owe to their patients or the duty of loyalty that employees owe to their employers.
On a moral level, duty may stem from an individual's personal beliefs, values, or principles. It often involves acting in the best interest of others or fulfilling one's obligations in a particular social, familial, or professional context. For instance, a parent has a duty to provide for their child's well-being, a teacher has a duty to educate their students, and a citizen may have a duty to participate in the democratic process.
Duty can also refer to an assigned task or responsibility that someone must carry out. This can be seen in various professions, where individuals have specific duties and roles to perform within their organizations or communities.
Overall, duty embodies the idea of obligation and responsibility, whether it is driven by moral principles, legal requirements, or assigned tasks. It implies a sense of commitment and the recognition that certain actions or roles are necessary to maintain order, fulfill obligations, and uphold ethical standards.
-
The obedience which one owes to another, as to a parent or superior; that which a person is bound to pay, do, or perform; tax, impost, or toll; service; business.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for DUTY *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for DUTY
Etymology of DUTY
The word duty originated from the Middle English term dewte or dute. It came from the Old French word deu, which was derived from the Latin word debitum, meaning that which is owed or a debt. Debitum is the past participle of the Latin verb debere, which means to owe. The sense of obligation or responsibility became associated with the term during the 14th century, eventually evolving into the modern English word duty.
Idioms with the word DUTY
-
join duty
The idiom "join duty" refers to the act of starting or resuming one's job or responsibilities, typically after a period of absence or leave. It implies returning to work and being present to fulfill one's duties or obligations.
-
in the line of duty
The idiom "in the line of duty" refers to performing one's responsibilities or duties, especially in a professional capacity, despite the risks and potential harm that may be involved. It commonly refers to individuals, such as police officers, soldiers, firefighters, or other public service personnel, who are expected to fulfill their obligations even if it exposes them to danger, injury, or sacrifice.
-
go above and beyond duty
The idiom "go above and beyond duty" means to go the extra mile or exceed the expectations of one's assigned responsibilities or tasks. It refers to making additional efforts, taking additional steps, or providing exceptional service or performance beyond what is required or expected.
-
on active duty
The idiom "on active duty" refers to the status of an individual who is currently serving or working in their assigned position or job. It is commonly used to describe military personnel who are actively engaged in service and ready to perform their duties at any given time.
-
shirk one's duty
The idiom "shirk one's duty" means to avoid or neglect one's responsibilities or obligations, especially in a deliberate or irresponsible manner. It implies that someone is not fulfilling their assigned tasks or duties, often resulting in negative consequences for others or for a particular situation.
-
beyond the call of duty
The idiom "beyond the call of duty" means to go above and beyond what is expected or required in one's responsibilities or obligations. It refers to going the extra mile or putting in greater effort and dedication than what is typically anticipated.
-
duty bound to do sth
The idiom "duty bound to do something" means to have a moral or legal obligation to do something. It expresses a sense of obligation and responsibility to fulfill a particular task or duty.
-
be duty bound to do sth
The idiom "be duty bound to do sth" means to have a strong moral or legal obligation to do something. It suggests that the person is compelled or obligated to fulfill a particular responsibility or duty.
-
duty bound
The idiom "duty bound" means to be morally or legally obligated to fulfill a responsibility or commitment. It implies a strong sense of duty or obligation that one feels compelled to adhere to.
-
do double duty
The idiom "do double duty" means that something or someone performs two functions or tasks simultaneously. It refers to the ability or action of fulfilling multiple roles or purposes at the same time.
-
on duty
The idiom "on duty" refers to being actively engaged or responsible for performing one's assigned tasks or responsibilities, typically within a professional or official capacity. It implies being ready and available to fulfill one's duties or obligations during a particular period of time.
-
off duty
The idiom "off duty" refers to a period when someone is not working or performing their regular duties or responsibilities, usually outside of their scheduled work hours. It implies that a person is not available for work-related tasks or obligations during this time.
-
(above and) beyond the call of duty
The idiom "(above and) beyond the call of duty" refers to performing more than what is expected or required in a particular situation, often describing acts of exceptional effort, dedication, or selflessness. It implies going the extra mile and exceeding one's responsibilities or obligations.
-
do (double) duty as/for sth
The idiom "do (double) duty as/for something" means to serve multiple purposes or fulfill multiple roles simultaneously. It implies that someone or something is performing two or more functions or tasks simultaneously.
-
go above and beyond one's duty
The idiom "go above and beyond one's duty" means to exceed what is expected or required in the performance of one's job or responsibilities. It refers to taking extra efforts, going the extra mile, or undertaking tasks that are beyond the minimum requirements. It signifies a dedication and commitment to doing more than what is asked, with a focus on delivering exceptional results and providing outstanding service.
-
do duty for
The definition of the idiom "do duty for" is to serve as a substitute or replacement for someone or something. It refers to the act of fulfilling the role or performing the function of another person or object when they are not available or cannot perform.
-
on (or off) duty
The idiom "on (or off) duty" typically refers to a person being either engaged in or not engaged in their assigned responsibilities or tasks, particularly in relation to their job or occupation. "On duty" means that someone is working and available for their professional duties, while "off duty" signifies that someone is not currently working and not obligated to perform any professional tasks.
-
a/your bounden duty
The idiom "a/your bounden duty" refers to a moral or legal obligation or responsibility that one is required or obliged to fulfill. It suggests a sense of duty that cannot be avoided or ignored.
-
active duty
The idiom "active duty" refers to the state of being employed or enlisted in military service and being subject to full-time duties, responsibilities, and obligations within the armed forces. It indicates being on active service or actively engaged in military operations, exercises, or assignments.
-
be duty bound
The idiom "be duty bound" means to have a strong sense of obligation or responsibility to do something, usually as a result of one's moral, legal, or professional duties. It implies a sense of commitment and duty that cannot be ignored or neglected.
-
duty bound to (someone or something)
The idiom "duty bound to (someone or something)" means being morally or legally obligated to fulfill or follow a particular commitment, responsibility, or obligation towards a person or thing. It implies a sense of duty, loyalty, or obligation to fulfill a certain role or task.
-
call of duty
The idiom "call of duty" refers to a sense of responsibility or obligation to one's job, duty, or moral code. It suggests that a person feels compelled to fulfill their obligations, even in challenging or difficult circumstances.
-
duty calls
The idiom "duty calls" means that one must fulfill their responsibility or obligation, often implying that one must prioritize their duty or work over personal desires or interests. It signifies that duty or responsibility takes precedence over personal choices or preferences.
-
do (double) duty as
The idiom "do (double) duty as" means to serve or function in multiple roles or capacities at the same time. It refers to a person or thing fulfilling more than one purpose or playing more than one role simultaneously.
-
do (one's) duty
The idiom "do one's duty" means to fulfill or carry out one's responsibilities or obligations, usually referring to a moral or ethical duty. It implies that one is doing what is expected or required of them, regardless of personal desires or preferences.
-
double duty
The idiom "double duty" refers to the concept of performing two tasks or functions simultaneously or getting two things done through a single effort or action. It implies the efficient use of resources, time, or efforts to accomplish multiple objectives.
-
a bounden duty
The idiom "a bounden duty" is often used to express a sense of strong moral obligation or responsibility. It suggests that a particular task or action is not merely a choice, but something that one is morally or legally obliged to do.
-
dereliction of duty
The idiom "dereliction of duty" refers to the neglect or failure to fulfill one's responsibilities and obligations, typically in a professional or official capacity. It implies a deliberate or careless disregard for duties or tasks assigned to an individual, resulting in a breach of trust or a failure to meet expected standards.
-
heavy-duty
The idiom "heavy-duty" is used to describe something that is designed or built to withstand a lot of use or to perform a difficult or demanding task. It denotes strength, durability, or high performance.
-
on/off duty
The idiom "on/off duty" refers to the state of being either engaged in or free from one's assigned responsibilities or obligations, particularly in relation to work or service. "On duty" means actively working or available to perform tasks, while "off duty" implies being temporarily relieved from work duties and having personal time.
-
shirk duty
The idiom "shirk duty" means to avoid or neglect one's responsibilities or obligations, usually in a deliberate manner. It refers to not fulfilling the duties or tasks that one is expected to perform, often displaying laziness, irresponsibility, or a lack of commitment.
-
feel duty bound to (do something)
The idiom "feel duty bound to (do something)" means feeling a strong sense of moral obligation or responsibility to perform a specific action. It implies that one believes it is their duty to fulfill a certain task or obligation and they have a strong internal sense of duty or commitment towards it.
-
legal duty
The idiom "legal duty" refers to the obligation or responsibility that an individual or entity has to abide by the laws and regulations of a particular jurisdiction or to fulfill specific legal obligations. It denotes the requirement to act or refrain from acting in a certain way as mandated by the law.
-
rack duty
-
be/feel duty/honour bound to do something
The idiom "be/feel duty/honour bound to do something" means to feel obligated or morally obliged to carry out a certain action, often because of a sense of duty, honor, or loyalty.
-
come on (duty)
The idiom "come on (duty)" refers to being present and ready to perform a task or responsibility, especially in a formal or official capacity. It indicates that someone is ready to take on their assigned duties or responsibilities.
Similar spelling words for DUTY
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
