- plural of devoir.
devoirs
Britishplural noun
Etymology
Origin of devoirs
C13: from Old French: duty, from devoir to be obliged to, owe, from Latin dēbēre; see debt
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Carl made his decent devoirs to his hostess and tramped up-town through the flying snow, swinging his stick like an orchestra conductor, and whistling a waltz.
From The Trail of the Hawk A Comedy of the Seriousness of Life by Lewis, Sinclair
"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 The Literary Sense by Nesbit, E. (Edith)
He was the spirit of fine courtesy, and would have blushed to fail in his devoirs to any lady; but, in the other scale, he was a man averse from amorous adventures.
From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 5 (of 25) by Stevenson, Robert Louis
Yes, he came; he will remain in Regis to-night, and when less fatigued will pay his devoirs to Mrs. Brand.
From Faithful Margaret A Novel by Ashmore, Annie
Learning of the priest’s recent severe illness, Don Mario had hastened at once to pay his devoirs.
From Carmen Ariza by Stocking, Charles Francis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
