duty
From Middle English 'duete', from Old French 'deu' (from Latin 'debere' meaning to owe).
NOUN
(1)
[/ˈdjuːti/en-US]
deber
literal
/
obligación
formal
/
responsabilidad
formalnon-legal
/
tarea
/
concepto de deber
untranslatable
(While 'deber' and 'obligación' convey similar meanings, 'duty' encompasses a broader sense of moral or social responsibilities that cannot be fully captured in a single term.)
A moral, legal, or social obligation; a responsibility that one has because of their position or role, or because it is the right thing to do. The concept of duty often implies an inherent commitment or a sense of what is expected, extending beyond a mere task or contractual obligation to include ethical or societal expectations.
| plural |
|---|
| duties |
- It is the duty of every citizen to protect the environment. — This example highlights a civic or moral responsibility.
- He performed his duties as a father with great care and dedication. — This shows a responsibility based on a role.
- She felt it was her duty to inform the authorities about the incident. — This emphasizes a personal moral obligation.
- The soldier's strong sense of duty compelled him to stay on post. — This implies a deep, inherent commitment.
register: formal