devoirs

/ (dəˈvwɑː, French dəvwar) /


pl n
  1. (sometimes singular) compliments or respects; courteous attentions

Origin of devoirs

1
C13: from Old French: duty, from devoir to be obliged to, owe, from Latin dēbēre; see debt

Words Nearby devoirs

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

How to use devoirs in a sentence

  • The Major, whose devoirs to Camilla always sought, not avoided the public eye, eagerly pursued her.

    Camilla | Fanny Burney
  • It is to be feared, madam, that such rumors are well founded, but the party who form the forlorn hope have their devoirs also.

  • We, of course, lost as little time as possible in paying our devoirs to so wondrous a personage.

    Barn and the Pyrenees | Louisa Stuart Costello
  • Maine Chance has been paying his devoirs with great impartiality to two young ladies.

  • What think you of my ceremony in calling at the earliest chance to pay my devoirs to the Provost of this burgh and his daughter?

    John Splendid | Neil Munro