ducat

[ duhk-uht ]

/ ˈdʌk ət /

Save This Word!

noun

any of various gold coins formerly issued in various parts of Europe, especially that first issued in Venice in 1284.Compare sequin (def. 2).

any of various silver coins formerly issued in various parts of Europe.

Slang. a ticket to a public performance.

ducats, Slang. money; cash.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of ducat

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Old Italian ducato, from Medieval Latin ducātus “duchy,” probably so called from the Latin words dux or ducātus, which formed part of the legends of such coins; cf. duchy

Words nearby ducat

Dubuque, duc, ducal, ducally, Ducasse, ducat, ducatoon, Duccio di Buoninsegna, duce, du Cerceau, duces tecum

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ducat in a sentence

A ducat was a gold piece of the size of an old French louis, though less thick.
Catherine de' Medici|Honore de Balzac
If every ducat in six thousand ducats Were in six parts, and every part a ducat, I would not draw them; I would have my bond.
The Ontario Readers: The High School Reader, 1886|Ministry of Education
The result of the quarrel was, that I was obliged to give them twelve drachms of their money, equivalent to half a ducat.
Early Travels in Palestine|Arculf et al.
By dint of inquiry, and for half a ducat, I was enabled to purchase the half of a goatskin full, of which I made him a present.
Early Travels in Palestine|Arculf et al.

Thirty-six aspers are worth a Venetian ducat; but, of the five thousand aspers, the treasurer deducted ten per cent.
Early Travels in Palestine|Arculf et al.

British Dictionary definitions for ducat

ducat

/ (ˈdʌkət) /

noun

any of various former European gold or silver coins, esp those used in Italy or the Netherlands

(often plural) any coin or money

Word Origin for ducat

C14: from Old French, from Old Italian ducato coin stamped with the doge's image, from duca doge, from Latin 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

ducat

Origin of ducat

Words nearby ducat

Words related to ducat

How to use ducat in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ducat

Word Origin for ducat