| Duke | n. [ F. duc, fr. L. dux, ducis, leader, commander, fr. ducere to lead; akin to AS. teón to draw; cf. AS. heretoga (here army) an army leader, general, G. herzog duke. See Tue, and cf. Doge, Duchess, Ducat, Duct, Adduce, Deduct. ] 1. A leader; a chief; a prince. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] Hannibal, duke of Carthage. Sir T. Elyot. [ 1913 Webster ] All were dukes once, who were “duces” -- captains or leaders of their people. Trench. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. In some European countries, a sovereign prince, without the title of king. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. pl. The fists; as, put up your dukes. [ slang ] [ PJC ] Duke's coronet. See Illust. of Coronet. -- To dine with Duke Humphrey, to go without dinner. See under Dine. [ 1913 Webster ]
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