duchy

[duhch-ee]

noun

plural

duchies 

1. the territory ruled by a duke or duchess.

duchy

/ ˈdʌtʃɪ /

noun

1. the territory of a duke or duchess; dukedom

Word History and Origins

Origin of duchy¹

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; duke, -ate ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of duchy¹

C14: from Old French duche, from duc _duke

Example Sentences

The two duchies are exempt from corporation tax, but the King and Prince William voluntarily pay income tax on the revenue they generate.

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Separate reports are published for the two duchies which are described on their respective websites as private estates.

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Will Bax, the duchy's new secretary, said there would be a "modern, socially minded" approach, which could see some charitable organisations and community groups having their rents waived and others with 50% reductions.

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On the issue of mining, the spokesperson said that the duchy was “acting responsibly and in a sustainable way” to the government’s industrial strategy.

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The stage was set for the kind of violent throwdown more often associated with decaying Balkan duchies or post-colonial dictatorships, at least until the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand intervened.

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