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n. 1. A nobleman with the highest hereditary rank, especially a man of the highest grade of the peerage in Great Britain. 2. A sovereign prince who rules an independent duchy in some European countries. 3. Used as the title for such a nobleman. 4. dukes Slang The fists: Put up your dukes! 5. Botany A type of cherry intermediate between a sweet and a sour cherry. intr.v. duked, duk·ing, dukes To fight, especially with fists: duking it out. [Middle English, from Old French duc, from Latin dux, duc-, leader, from dūcere, to lead; see deuk- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots. N., sense 4, short for Duke of Yorks, rhyming slang for forks, fingers.] |
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