duke

Definition

The male ruler of a duchy (female equivalent: duchess).

Etymology

From Old French duc, through Middle English duk, duke, from Latin dux, ducis. Displaced native Old English heretoga. Was present as duc in late Old English, from the same Latin source. Doublet of doge, duc, duce, and dux. Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dewk-, which is also the source of the second component in German Herzog. The “fist” sense is thought to be Cockney rhyming slang where “Duke(s) of York” = fork. Fork is itself Cockney slang for hand, and thus fist.

Example Sentences

• "Put up your dukes!"
• "“Your friend sure knows how to use his dukes. Biff, bang! One, two, and the copʼs on his ass!”"
• ""How did the sport go." "O sparred a few rounds. Let the instructor have a few on the button." "You must be tough." "I can handle my dukes.""

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