duchess

[duhch-is]

noun

1. the wife or widow of a duke.

2. a woman who holds in her own right the sovereignty or titles of a duchy.

duchess

/ ˈdʌtʃɪs /

noun

1. the wife or widow of a duke

2. a woman who holds the rank of duke in her own right

verb

1. informal,  to overwhelm with flattering attention

Gender Note

See -ess.

Other Word Forms

• duchesslike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of duchess¹

1300–50; Middle English duchesse < Anglo-French, Old French, feminine derivative of duc duke; -ess

Word History and Origins

Origin of duchess¹

C14: from Old French duchesse, feminine of duc _duke

Related Words

• czar 
• emperor 
• king 
• monarch 
• shah 
• sultan