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

ducat, ducaton, ducatoon, duccio di buoninsegna, duccio, agostino di, duce, duces, duces tecum, duchamp, duchamp, marcel, duchamp-villon

Origin of duce

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

Definition for duce (2 of 2)

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 (1 of 2)

duce

/ (ˈduːtʃɪ, Italian ˈduːtʃe) /

noun

leader

Word Origin for duce

C20: from Italian, from Latin dux

British Dictionary definitions for duce (2 of 2)

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