duce

[ doo-chey; Italian doo-che ]

/ ˈdu tʃeɪ; Italian ˈdu tʃɛ /

noun, plural du·ces, du·ci [doo-chee] /ˈdu tʃi/.

a leader or dictator.

il Duce, the leader: applied especially to Benito Mussolini as head of the fascist Italian state.

Nearby words

Origin of duce

1920–25; < Italian < Medieval Latin dux (genitive ducis), Latin: leader; cf. duke, dux

il Duce

[ eel doo-chey; Italian eel doo-che ]

/ il ˈdu tʃeɪ; Italian il ˈdu tʃɛ /

noun

duce(def 2).

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for duce

Banners with “Muslims go home” and “Long Live Il Duce,” in a reference to Benito Mussolini, lie crumpled along the streets.
In Rome’s Riots, Cries for Mussolini and Attacks on Refugees|Barbie Latza Nadeau|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The youth struck the note upon the tabourin—his pipe followed, and off we bounded——the duce take that slit!
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman|Laurence Sterne
Who th' duce does ta think can be bilious in a country like this?
Seets I' Paris|John Hartley
The real "views" of the Duce are those which he formulates and executes at one and the same time.
Readings on Fascism and National Socialism|Various

Conspectus Crustaceorum in orbis terrarum circumnavigatione, C. Wilkes duce, collectorum.
More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II|Charles Darwin
"Nil desperandum, Christo duce," said the preacher; and thus heartened, the little fleet set sail on its triumphant journey.
American Sketches|Charles Whibley

British Dictionary definitions for duce

duce

/ (ˈduːtʃɪ, Italian ˈduːtʃe) /

noun

leader

Word Origin for duce

C20: from Italian, from Latin dux

Duce

/ (Italian ˈduːtʃe) /

noun

Il Duce (il) the title assumed by Benito Mussolini as leader of Fascist Italy (1922–43)

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 duce

Duce

1923, title assumed by Benito Mussolini (1883-1945); Italian, literally "leader," from Latin ducem (see duke (n.)).