Main Entry:: ¹du·ty
Pronunciation:: \ˈdü-tē also ˈdyü-\
Function:: noun
Inflected Form(s):: plural duties
Etymology:: Middle English duete, from Anglo-French deueté, dueté, from deu due
Date:: 13th century

1: conduct due to parents and superiors : respect2 a: obligatory tasks, conduct, service, or functions that arise from one's position (as in life or in a group) b (1): assigned service or business (2): active military service (3): a period of being on duty3 a: a moral or legal obligation b: the force of moral obligation4: tax ; especially : a tax on imports5 a: work 1a b (1): the service required (as of an electric machine) under specified conditions (2): functional application : use <got double duty out of the trip> (3): use as a substitute <making the word do duty for the thing — Edward Sapir>

synonyms see function, task

— off duty

: free from assignment or responsibility

— on duty

: engaged in or responsible for an assigned task or duty

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