devoir

[ duh-vwahr, dev-wahr; French duh-vwar ]

noun

, plural de·voirs [d, uh, -, vwahrz, dev, -wahrz, d, uh, -, vwar].

1. an act of civility or respect.
2. devoirs, respects or compliments:

   to pay devoirs to rank and celebrity.

3. something for which a person is responsible; duty.

Word History and Origins

Origin of devoir¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English devoir, deveir, dever, from Old French devoir ( Anglo-French deveir, dever ), from Latin dēbēre “to owe”; debt

Example Sentences

"If you leave an administration, you owe some silence," the general said, referring to the French concept of "devoir de réserve," or "duty of silence."

From Salon

In the interview, Mattis invoked the French concept of devoir de réserve.

From The Guardian

Acquired privately for £50,000, the devoir was unknown until December last year when the Brontë Society was told of its discovery in a private library.

From The Guardian

Yea, for mine," Polly answered; "or else for M. de la Motte's, who came in to pay his devoirs to her, for the first time, I take it, since her lord's death.

From Project Gutenberg

"Now, Papa," said the Girl, "just go right along and do your devoirs in there—and I'll stay and talk to him—" The father went obediently.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accountability
• agreement
• bond
• burden
• commitment
• constraint
• contract
• debt
• duty
• liability
• necessity
• need
• promise
• requirement
• right
• trust
• understanding