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The ethical theory which finds the explanation and authority of duty in its tendency to give pleasure.

A civil officer charged with the duty of impounding hogs running at large. [New Eng.] Bartlett.

ight, just, and true, with course of life correspondent thereto; strict conformity to the duty imposed by conscience, position, or privilege. Say, what is honor 'T is the finest sense Of justice which the human mind can frame, Intent each lurking frailty to disclaim, And guard the way of life from all offense Suffered…

kes care of horses; a groom; -- so called because the innkeeper formerly attended to this duty in person.

A willful neglect or refusal to acquire knowledge which one may acquire and it is his duty to have. Book of Common Prayer. Invincible ignorance (Theol.), ignorance beyond the individual's control and for which, therefore, he is not responsible before God.

knowledge or reason; to explain; to elucidate; as, to illuminate a text, a problem, or a duty.

Freedom or exemption from any charge, duty, obligation, office, tax, imposition, penalty, or service; a particular privilege; as, the immunities of the free cities of Germany; the immunities of the clergy.

Not to be avoided or evaded; obligatory; binding; compulsory; as, an imperative duty or order.

To lay as a charge, burden, tax, duty, obligation, command, penalty, etc.; to enjoin; to levy; to inflict; as, to impose a toll or tribute. What fates impose, that men must needs abide. Shak. Death is the penalty imposed. Milton. Thou on the deep imposest nobler laws. Waller.

Laying as a duty; enjoining.

That which is imposed or levied; a tax, tribute, or duty; especially, a duty or tax laid by goverment on goods imported into a country. Even the ship money . . . Johnson could not pronounce to have been an unconstitutional impost. Macaulay.

Not accordant with duty or morality; not duly regulated or subordinated; unbecoming; improper; as, incorrect conduct. It shows a will most incorrect to heaven. Shak. The wit of the last age was yet more incorrect than their language. Dryden.

That which is morally incumbent, or is imposed, as a rule, a duty, obligation, or responsibility. "The incumbencies of a family." Donne.

Lying, resting, or imposed, as a duty or obligation; obligatory; always with on or upon. All men, truly zealous, will perform those good works that are incumbent on all Christians. Sprat.

A duty levied on all importations.

, Intuitive. There is an innate light in every man, discovering to him the first lines of duty in the common notions of good and evil. South. Men would not be guilty if they did not carry in their mind common notions of morality,innate and written in divine letters. Fleming (Origen). If I could only show,as I hope I sh…

Indifferent to obligation or duty. [Obs.] Thou drown'st thyself in inofficious sleep. B. Jonson.

One whose official duty it is to examine and inquire, as coroners, sheriffs, etc. Mozley & W.

. Ceasing to do evil, and doing good, are the two great integral parts that complete this duty. South.

A proceeding devised to enable a person, of whom the same debt, duty, or thing is claimed adversely by two or more parties, to compel them to litigate the right or title between themselves, and thereby to relieve himself from the suits which they might otherwise bring against him.