DUKE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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duke

[ dook, dyook ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

(in Continental Europe) the male ruler of a duchy; the sovereign of a small state.
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.
a nobleman of corresponding rank in certain other countries.
a cultivated hybrid of the sweet and sour cherry.
dukes, Slang. fists; hands:
Put up your dukes.

verb (used with object)

duked, duking.

Slang. to hit or thrash with the fists (sometimes followed by out ): 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.

Duke

[ dook, dyook ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Benjamin Newton, 1855–1929, and his brother, James Buchanan, 1856–1925, U.S. industrialists.
a male given name.

duke

/ ��ː�� /

noun

a nobleman of high rank: in the British Isles standing above the other grades of the nobility
the prince or ruler of a small principality or duchy

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of duke¹

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: “l�𲹻��”; dux; duke def 5 dukes (in the sense “fists”) of unclear derivation and perhaps of distinct origin

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of duke¹

C12: from Old French duc, from Latin dux leader

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Idioms and Phrases

duke it out, to fight, especially with the fists; do battle:
The adversaries were prepared to duke it out in the alley.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Commenting on the mood in the Palace after the interview, which saw him questioned over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Mr Hampshire said it was "clear" the duke's "reputation was irrecoverable".

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She also claimed the duke's team asked her to defend his wife Meghan from negative publicity.

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They reveal that the US government previously told a court that the duke could be subjected to harassment if his visa records were made public.

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The BBC has contacted the White House and the duke's office for comment.

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Lathrop says his initial inspiration for the design came from the coffin of a 15th century Polish duke.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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