Duke (?) n. [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.]
1.
A leader; a chief; a prince.
[Obs.]
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.
Duke's coronet. See Illust. of Coronet. -- To dine with Duke Humphrey, to go without dinner. See under Dine.
© Webster 1913.
Duke, v. i.
To play the duke.
[Poetic]
Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.