the adjective "duteous"

[David Czech]

Hello,

I would like to ask native speakers a question about the adjective "duteous", which I found in Shakespeare´s "Othello". In The Free Dictionary, which is a compilation of several high-quality dictionaries, it is evaluated as "archaic and formal" in one entry (The Collins Dictionary), and not stylistically classified in other entries. According to Google search engine, the adjective "dutiful" occurs like ten times more often (I didn´t use specialized language copora).

My point is: isn´t it too formal, old-fashioned or perhaps even ridiculous (esp when used by a learner of English as a foreign language, whose speaking or writing skills are generally far from perfect)? Or is it still usable as a standard expression at least in written English?

Thanks

David

 

[Chicken Sandwich]

I've never seen this word in modern writing.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Hello,

I would like to ask native speakers a question about the adjective "duteous", which I found in Shakespeare´s "Othello". In The Free Dictionary, which is a compilation of several high-quality dictionaries, it is evaluated as "archaic and formal" in one entry (The Collins Dictionary), and not stylistically classified in other entries. According to Google search engine, the adjective "dutiful" occurs like ten times more often (I didn´t use specialized language copora).

My point is: isn´t it too formal, old-fashioned or perhaps even ridiculous (esp when used by a learner of English as a foreign language, whose speaking or writing skills are generally far from perfect)? Or is it still usable as a standard expression at least in written English?

Thanks

David

I doubt that I have ever used that word. It would not be on a list of words I would want English learners to know.

 

[emsr2d2]

I've never seen it used and never used it myself. If I were you, I'd store it away in a little part if your brain reserved for interesting words you've seen, checked out but will never use. It would, however, be a useful word for Scrabble!

 

[konungursvia]

I have never seen it outside Shakespeare, and didn't recognize it when I read it here, for a few moments. It's a real archaism.