A Duke Was Originally a Military Commander
A duke is the highest rank of nobility below a monarch. The Latin word meant a leader of troops.
A duke is the highest rank of nobility below a monarch. Latin *dux* meant a military commander, and in the late Roman empire a *dux* governed a frontier province with troops under him. The title outlived the army: what began as a job description became a hereditary rank, which is how most European noble titles were formed. *Dukes* meaning fists is Victorian London slang, probably from rhyming slang, and survives in *put up your dukes*.
- A high noble rank. *The Duke of York.*
- A military commander (Latin). *Dux.*
- Fists (slang). *Put up your dukes.*
- Duchess — the feminine. *A duchess.*
- Latin — *dux*, a leader. *The root.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | duke | A duke. |
| Plural | dukes | Dukes. |
| Feminine | duchess | A duchess. |
| Territory | duchy | A duchy. |
| Latin | dux | A leader. |
- The duke inherited the estate.Title.
- A dux commanded a frontier.History.
- Put up your dukes.Slang.
British noble ranks
- Duke — the highest, from a military commander
- Marquess — from a march, a frontier territory
- Earl — the only native English title, from Old English *eorl*
- Viscount — a deputy count
- Baron — originally simply a man or vassal
Old French *duc*, from Latin *dux*, a leader or commander, from *ducere*, to lead.
What did a duke originally do?
Command troops. In the late Roman empire a dux governed a frontier province with soldiers under his command.
Why are fists called dukes?
Victorian London slang, most likely from rhyming slang, preserved in the phrase put up your dukes.