duchy

[duhch-ee]

noun, plural duch·ies.

the territory ruled by a duke or duchess.

Origin of duchy

1350–1400; Middle English duche < Middle French duche; Anglo-French, Old French duchié < Medieval Latin ducātus; Late Latin, Latin: the rank or functions of a dux; see duke, -ate³

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for duchy

Contemporary Examples of duchy

It relies on the Duchy to provide it with accurate information without carrying out its own independent checks.
Report Published on Prince Charles's Tax Affairs
Tom Sykes
November 5, 2013
It also criticised the lack of official scrutiny of the Duchy's account.
Report Published on Prince Charles's Tax Affairs
Tom Sykes
November 5, 2013
Well, the Prince last year received an annual income from the Duchy of £19m, on which he paid £4.4m in income tax and VAT.
MP: Prince Charles Pays Less Tax Than His Servants
Tom Sykes
July 16, 2013
He will also lose the massive income from the lands held by the Duchy of Cornwall, which currently provide some of their funding.
Charles Charities Face Funding Crisis
Tom Sykes
June 5, 2013
The prince's private income from the Duchy of Cornwall rose by 3% to £18.3m.
Charles Spends £6.7m On Staff
Tom Sykes
June 29, 2012

Historical Examples of duchy

Paolo, taking possession of the duchy, assumes the title of governor.
The Life of Cesare Borgia
Raphael Sabatini
And so, what man can do to stem the impending flood of this invasion, that will I do to defend your Duchy.
Love-at-Arms
Raphael Sabatini
His Highness will do nothing to save the Duchy, and so we turn to you.
Love-at-Arms
Raphael Sabatini
You would be false to the Duke that you may be faithful to the Duchy?
Love-at-Arms
Raphael Sabatini
Soon Gian Maria would be forced to turn him homeward, to defend his Duchy.
Love-at-Arms
Raphael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for duchy

duchy

noun plural duchies

the territory of a duke or duchess; dukedom

Word Origin for duchy

C14: from Old French duche, from duc duke

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 duchy

mid-14c., "territory ruled by a duke or duchess," from Old French duché (12c.), from Medieval Latin ducatus, from Latin dux (see duke (n.)).