duties
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
An inflected form of duty · plural.
How often you will meet it
Rank 2,115 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 8,394 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.004% of every word in the library.
What it means
noun
- the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force also: responsibility, obligation we must instill a sense of duty in our childrenevery right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty
- work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons the duties of the job
- a government tax on imports or exports also: tariff they signed a treaty to lower duties on trade between their countries
duties in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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The next day being Sunday, I commenced the arduous duties of a bar-maid in a low drinking house.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1
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Reverend Henry Ward Beecher was to have accompanied the expedition, but urgent duties obliged him to give up the idea.
The Innocents Abroad — Volume 01 · Mark Twain · Chapter 1
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One of her many duties was to see that the carryall was at the station when new pupils were to arrive.
Dorothy Dainty at Glenmore · Amy Brooks · Chapter 1
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These haul aft the fore and main-sheets, besides being subject to ignoble duties; attending to the drainage and sewerage below hatches.
White Jacket · Herman Melville · Chapter 1
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The young girl had only possessed it for a short time, and neglected all her duties for the sake of the mirror.
The Yellow Fairy Book: The Grateful Beasts · World Traditions (Celtic, Norse, Asian & Persian) · Chapter 1