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ducal

[doo-kuh l, dyoo-]
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adjective
  1. of or relating to a duke or dukedom.
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Origin of ducal

First recorded in 1485–95, ducal is from the Late Latin word ducālis of a leader. See duke, -al1
Related formsun·du·cal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for ducal

Historical Examples

  • He took careful aim in the direction of the ducal tent, and loosed the quarrel.

    Love-at-Arms

    Raphael Sabatini

  • And he waved a hand in the direction of the doors leading to the ducal chamber.

    Love-at-Arms

    Raphael Sabatini

  • And the colored marbles of the ducal palace fairly palpitate.

    The Lure of the Mask

    Harold MacGrath

  • That wasn't exactly the wording used by a ducal lord on Gram.

    Space Viking

    Henry Beam Piper

  • It is some of the ducal family, and one of their young Etonians.

    Our Village

    Mary Russell Mitford

British Dictionary definitions for ducal

ducal

adjective
  1. of or relating to a duke or duchy
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Derived Formsducally, adverb

Word Origin

C16: from French, from Late Latin ducālis of a leader, from dux leader
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ducal

adj.

late 15c., from Middle French ducal (15c.), from Late Latin ducalis, from Latin dux (genitive ducis); see duke (n.).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper