duchess

duch-ess · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The wife or widow of a duke.

  2. 2.

    A woman holding a rank equivalent to duke in her own right.

  3. 3.

    (Informal) A woman who acts in a grand or pretentious manner.

Forms

plural: duchesses

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    The Duchess of Cambridge — Title held by Catherine Middleton
  • •
    the Grand Duchess — A title in some European monarchies

Related words

See also: duke, prince, princess
Synonyms: aristocrat, noblewoman

Etymology

From Old French duchesse, feminine of duc ("duke"), from Latin dux ("leader").