Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Duke

1. A leader; a chief; a prince. Hannibal, duke of Carthage. (Sir t. Elyot) All were dukes once, who were duces captains or leaders of their people. (Trench)

2. In England, one of the highest order of nobility after princes and princesses of the royal blood and the four archbishops of England and Ireland.

3. In some European countries, a sovereign prince, without the title of king. Dukes coronet. To dine with duke Humphrey, to go without dinner. See Dine.

Origin: f. Duc, fr. L. Dux, ducis, leader, commander, fr. Ducere to lead; akin to as. Teon to draw; cf. As. Heretoga (here army) an army leader, general, g. Herzog duke. See tue, and cf. Doge, Duchess, Ducat, duct, Adduce, Deduct.