devoirs

/ dəvwar, dəˈvwɑː /

plural noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of devoirs¹

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

Example Sentences

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.

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"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.

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She will soon find herself neglected; but at the same time she will find the loss of a husband's praises amply supplied by the devoirs of a hundred, all equal, and many superior to him.

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Persis cast her eyes up in despair and hastened to pay her devoirs to her mother-in-law.

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De Troyes now seldom left his cabin; and when, in the way of duty, I made my devoirs, and he asked after the men, I made shift to hide the truth.

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