duke

¹ American  

[dook, dyook] / duk, dyuk /

noun

1. (in Continental Europe) the male ruler of a duchy; the sovereign of a small state.

2. a British nobleman holding the highest hereditary title outside the royal family, ranking immediately below a prince and above a marquis; a member of the highest rank of the British peerage.

3. a nobleman of corresponding rank in certain other countries.

4. a cultivated hybrid of the sweet and sour cherry.

5. Slang. dukes, fists; hands.

   Put up your dukes.

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verb (used with object)

duked, duking

1. Slang. to hit or thrash with the fists (sometimes followed byout ): The bully said he was going to duke out anyone who disagreed.

   He duked me because he said I had insulted him.

   The bully said he was going to duke out anyone who disagreed.

idioms

1. duke it out, to fight, especially with the fists; do battle.

   The adversaries were prepared to duke it out in the alley.

Duke ² American  

[dook, dyook] / duk, dyuk /

noun

1. Benjamin Newton, 1855–1929, and his brother, James Buchanan, 1856–1925, U.S. industrialists.

2. a male given name.

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duke British  

/ djuːk /

noun

1. a nobleman of high rank: in the British Isles standing above the other grades of the nobility

2. the prince or ruler of a small principality or duchy

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Etymology

Origin of duke

First recorded in 1100–50; Middle English duke, duc, late Old English duc, from Old French duc, dus, dux, from Medieval Latin dux “hereditary ruler of a small state,” Latin: “leader”; dux; duke def. 5 dukes (in the sense “fists”) of unclear derivation and perhaps of distinct origin

Example Sentences

Canada and United States have been the two best teams in the men's ice hockey competition, and they will duke it out at Milano Santagiulia Arena on Sunday at 13.10 GMT.

From BBC

Buckingham Palace at the time said the duke would “continue to support business in the U.K.,” adding that he “will undertake trade engagements if requested.”

From The Wall Street Journal

During the appearance, the duke spoke only to confirm his name and that he understood the conditions of his bail.

From BBC

LONDON—On Monday, as fresh disclosures about ex-Prince Andrew’s dealings with Jeffrey Epstein dominated headlines in Britain, the former duke went for a ride on his horse outside his 30-room stately residence in Windsor.

From The Wall Street Journal

ANL said the duke's social circle was "known to be a good source of leaks" to the press and has repeatedly denied the claimants' allegations.

From BBC

Related Words

• czar
• emperor
• king
• monarch
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