dues
UK: djuːz | US: duːz
n. (plural of due) 1. Payments or fees owed, especially as membership contributions.
n. 2. What is rightfully owed or deserved (e.g., respect, rewards).
The word due originates from Old French deu (past participle of devoir, "to owe"), derived from Latin debitus ("owed"). The plural form dues emerged in Middle English to denote collective obligations, particularly financial (e.g., guild or club fees). The morpheme -s is a standard English plural marker, while due retains its core meaning of indebtedness or entitlement.
Members must pay their annual dues by January.
She received her dues after years of hard work.
The union collects dues to fund its operations.
He insisted on giving credit where dues were owed.
Late payment of dues may result in penalties.