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Webster 1913 Edition


Duteous

Du′te-ous

,
Adj.
[From
Duty
.]
1.
Fulfilling duty; dutiful; having the sentiments due to a superior, or to one to whom respect or service is owed; obedient;
as, a
duteous
son or daughter
.
2.
Subservient; obsequious.
Du′te-ous-ly
,
adv.
Du′te-ous-ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition


Duteous

DUTEOUS

,
Adj.
[from duty.]
1.
Performing that which is due, or that which law, justice or propriety requires; obedient; respectful to those who have natural or legal authority to require service or duty; as a duteous child or subject.
2.
Obedient; obsequious; in a good or bad sense.
Duteous to the vices of thy mistress.
3.
Enjoined by duty, or by the relation of one to another; as duteous ties. [Little used.]

Definition 2024


duteous

duteous

English

Adjective

duteous (comparative more duteous, superlative most duteous)

  1. (archaic) dutiful
    a duteous son
  2. (archaic) Obsequious; submissively obedient.
    • 1623, William Shakespeare, King Lear, act iv, scene 6 (First Folio ed.)
      I know thee well. A ſeruiceable Villaine,
      As duteous to the vices of thy Miſtris,
      As badneſſe would deſire.
    • 1881 Dante Gabriel Rossetti, The Heart of the Night, lines 10-14
      O Lord, the awful Lord of will! though late,
      Even yet renew this soul with duteous breath:
      That when the peace is garnered in from strife,
      The work retrieved, the will regenerate,
      This soul may see thy face, O Lord of death!

Related terms

Translations

References

  • The Oxford English Dictionary