Synonyms

devoirs

British

/ dəvwar, dəˈvwɑː /

plural noun

(sometimes singular) compliments or respects; courteous attentions

"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

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.

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

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

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

Another warrior, as brave and as ill-fated—Henry the Fifth—paid his devoirs to Becket as he came up the road, fresh from his glorious French campaigns.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023