different between responsibility vs vow

English

Etymology

From responsible +? -ity. Although the components are of French origin, the compound appears to have been formed in English. Later-attested French responsabilité is modeled on the English word, and Italian responsabilità is in turn modeled on the French.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???sp?ns??b?l??i/

Noun

responsibility (countable and uncountable, plural responsibilities)

1. The state of being responsible, accountable, or answerable. [from 18th c.]

   Responsibility is a heavy burden.

2. The state of being liable, culpable, or responsible for something in particular.
3. A duty, obligation or liability for which someone is held accountable.

   Why didn't you clean the house? That was your responsibility!

   The responsibility of the great states is to serve and not to dominate the world - Harry S. Truman

   • 1961 May 9, Newton N. Minow, "Television and the Public Interest":

     If parents, teachers, and ministers conducted their responsibilities by following the ratings, children would have a steady diet of ice cream, school holidays, and no Sunday school.

4. (military) The obligation to carry forward an assigned task to a successful conclusion. With responsibility goes authority to direct and take the necessary action to ensure success.
5. (military) The obligation for the proper custody, care, and safekeeping of property or funds entrusted to the possession or supervision of an individual.

Synonyms

• responsibleness (may be considered nonstandard)

Related terms

• see respond

Translations

See also

• accountability

References

• responsibility at OneLook Dictionary Search
• responsibility in Keywords for Today: A 21st Century Vocabulary, edited by The Keywords Project, Colin MacCabe, Holly Yanacek, 2018.
• responsibility in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• responsibility in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• James A. H. Murray [et al.], editors (1884–1928) , “Responsibility”, in A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), volume VIII, Part 1 (Q–R), London: Clarendon Press, OCLC 15566697, page 542, column 2.
• Feltus, C.; Petit, M. (2009). "Building a Responsibility Model Including Accountability, Capability and Commitment", Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Availability, Reliability and Security, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ( IEEE ), Fukuoka, 2009. Building a Responsibility Model Including Accountability, Capability and Commitment

English

Etymology

From Middle English vowe, voue, that from Old French vut, in turn from Latin v?tum (“a promise, dedication, vow”), from vov?re (“to promise, vow”). Doublet of vote.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /va?/
• Rhymes: -a?

Noun

vow (plural vows)

1. A solemn promise to perform some act, or behave in a specified manner, especially a promise to live and act in accordance with the rules of a religious order.

2. A declaration or assertion.
3. (obsolete) A votive offering.
   • 1786, Richard Payne Knight, The Worship of Priapus:

     There are also waxen vows, that represent other parts of the body mixed with them; but of these there are few in comparison of the number of the Priapi.

Usage notes

• One normally makes or takes a vow, or simply vows (see below).
• Commonly mentioned vows include those of silence, obedience, poverty, chastity, and celibacy.
• 'to keep/pay/fulfill a vow' = to honor a vow
• 'to break a vow' = to dishonor a vow

Translations

Verb

vow (third-person singular simple present vows, present participle vowing, simple past and past participle vowed)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To make a vow; to promise.

   • When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it.

   • 1673, Richard Baxter, Christian Directory

     We do not vow that we will never sin, nor neglect a duty (nor ought we to do so).

2. (transitive) To make a vow regarding (something).

   The wronged woman vowed revenge.

3. To declare publicly that one has made a vow, usually to show one's determination or to announce an act of retaliation.

   The rebels vowed to continue their fight.

Translations

Derived terms

Related terms

Further reading

• vow in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• vow in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• vow at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• WOV, WVO