Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Obedient or dutiful.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Dutiful; obedient; subservient.
  • Pertaining to or required by duty.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Fulfilling duty; dutiful; having the sentiments due to a superior, or to one to whom respect or service is owed; obedient.
  • adjective Subservient; obsequious.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective archaic Obsequious; submissively obedient.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective willingly obedient out of a sense of duty and respect

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[From duty.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Irregular combination of duty +‎ -ous.

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Examples

  • But the Trojans were dying, first for their fatherland, fairest fame to win; whomso the sword laid low, all these found friends to bear their bodies home and were laid to rest in the bosom of their native land, their funeral rites all duly paid by duteous hands.

    The Trojan Women 2008

  • Curfew Street, and though we know he was somedeal hurt in that matter, we cannot see why he should not do homage in leal and duteous sort.

    The Fair Maid of Perth 2008

  • But the Trojans were dying, first for their fatherland, fairest fame to win; whomso the sword laid low, all these found friends to bear their bodies home and were laid to rest in the bosom of their native land, their funeral rites all duly paid by duteous hands.

    The Trojan Women 2008

  • Let no selfish gratification or secret enjoyment prevent your duteous compliance.

    The Curate and His Daughter, a Cornish Tale 2008

  • Love her with tenderness, reward her kindness by your duteous conduct; and after a life well spent, may you gently sink to repose, beloved and lamented.

    The Curate and His Daughter, a Cornish Tale 2008

  • To his parents, we are apt to say, he endears himself by his pious attachment and duteous care still more than by the connexions of nature.

    An Enquiry into the Principles of Morals 2006

  • Be but duteous, and true preferment shall tender itself to thee.

    Cymbeline 2004

  • But as you saide, and very well too, what hath failed this night, another hereafter may more fortunately performe: in hope whereof, commend my love and duteous service to her, and (what else remaineth mine) to your gentle selfe.

    The Decameron 2004

  • The first check to her duteous demonstrations was a formal intimation from the fallen majesty of England, that I was in no manner to be intruded upon her.

    The Last Man 2003

  • It was a sight for the lovers of the human race to enjoy; to behold, as in ancient times, the patriarchal modes in which the variety of kindred and friendship fulfilled their duteous and kindly offices.

    The Last Man 2003

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