"Was one duty to" is a phrase that can be dissected into three main parts: "was," "one," and "duty to."
The word "was" is a past tense form of the verb "be," which indicates a state, condition, or existence in the past.
"One" is a pronoun that refers to a single person or thing. It can also be used to generalize a specific group or an unspecified individual.
"Duty" refers to a moral or legal obligation, responsibility, or a task that one is expected or required to perform. It is often associated with a sense of commitment, loyalty, or a sense of honor.
"To" is a preposition that can indicate direction, a goal, or purpose. In this context, it signifies the purpose or objective of fulfilling the duty.
Combining these three elements, "was one duty to" implies that there existed a responsibility or obligation in the past for someone or a collective group to perform a particular task or fulfill a specific requirement. It suggests that it was incumbent upon the individual or group to carry out or achieve a certain objective. The phrase can be used to indicate a sense of obligation, with the expectation that the duty would be discharged or fulfilled in the past.
