responsibility

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A duty or task that you are expected to deal with.

   Cleaning the kitchen is your responsibility this week.

2. 2
   noun

   The state of being in charge of something and answerable for it.

   Taking care of a pet is a big responsibility.

3. 3
   noun

   Blame for something that has gone wrong.

   The company accepted responsibility for the accident.

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.

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