devoir

Definition

Duty, business; something that one must do.

Etymology

From Middle English devoir, borrowed from Middle French devoir, from Old French deveir, from Latin dēbēre (“to owe; ought, must”).

Example Sentences

• "[…] he imprint not so much in his schollers mind […] where Marcellus died, as because he was unworthy of his devoire he died there[…]."
• "I should have long ere this paid my devoirs to the inhabitants of Raymond Castle."
• "[M]y eyes were oft times [on the] charmante maitresse de la maison, who glided among her guests in her flowing Spanish mantilla, and train of the clearest blonde, doing her devoirs with winning kindness, and showing how much benevolence of manner adds to beauty."