deuce

¹

[doos, dyoos]

noun

1. Cards.,  a card having two pips; a two, or two-spot.

2. Dice.

   1. the face of a die having two pips.

   2. a cast or point of two.

3. Tennis.,  a situation, as a score of 40–40 in a game or 5–5 in a match, in which a player must score two successive points to win the game or two successive games to win the set.

4. Slang.

   1. a two-dollar bill.

   2. the sum of two dollars.

adjective

1. (especially in games, sports, and gambling) two.

deuce

²

[doos, dyoos]

noun

1. devil; dickens (used as a mild oath).

   Where the deuce did they hide it?

deuce

¹

/ djuːs /

noun

1. 1. a playing card or dice with two pips or spots; two

   2. a throw of two in dice

2. tennis a tied score (in tennis 40-all) that requires one player to gain two successive points to win the game

deuce

²

/ djuːs /

interjection

1. an expression of annoyance or frustration

noun

1. (intensifier) used in such phrases as what the deuce, where the deuce, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of deuce¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English deus, dewes, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin duōs (masculine accusative of duo ) “two”

Origin of deuce²

First recorded in 1645–55; apparently to be identified with deuce ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of deuce¹

C15: from Old French deus two, from Latin duos, accusative masculine of duo two

Origin of deuce²

C17: probably special use of _deuce ¹ (in the sense: lowest throw at dice)

Example Sentences

Sinner, who was taken to deuce just once in 10 service games, did not let up and sealed victory with an ace before being serenaded by his home crowd.

Read more on BBC

Sabalenka held serve just once in the opening set - and even that required three deuce games - and quickly found herself a double break down.

Read more on BBC

A mammoth fourth game saw seven deuces and Maria saving two break points for 3-1, before a brilliant scamper to a drop shot in the next allowed her to go a double break up.

Read more on BBC

A hard-fought hold after three deuces set Gauff on her way at the start of the third set before breaking to go 3-1 up and safely seeing out the rest of the encounter.

Read more on BBC

A tight first set, packed with quality serving and ball-striking, saw neither player earn a chance of a break, with none of the 12 games leading to the tie-break even going to deuce.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• convict 
• crook 
• culprit 
• felon 
• fugitive 
• gangster 
• hoodlum 
• hooligan 
• lawbreaker 
• mobster 
• offender 
• thug