devoir


de·voir

noun \də-ˈvwär, ˈde-ˌ\

Definition of DEVOIR

2
: a usually formal act of civility or respect

Examples of DEVOIR

  1. <patient confidentiality has long been an integral part of a physician's professional devoir>

Origin of DEVOIR

alteration of Middle English dever, devoir, from Anglo-French, from deveir, devoer to owe, be obliged, from Latin debēre — more at debt
First Known Use: 14th century

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