duke: Meaning and Definition of

duke

1. (in Continental Europe) the male ruler of a duchy; the sovereign of a small state.
2. a British nobleman holding the highest hereditary title outside the royal family, ranking immediately below a prince and above a marquis; a member of the highest rank of the British peerage. Cf. royal duke.
3. a nobleman of corresponding rank in certain other countries.
4. a cultivated hybrid of the sweet and sour cherry.
5. fists; hands: Put up your dukes.

1. to hit or thrash with the fists (sometimes fol. by out): He duked me because he said I had insulted him. The bully said he was going to duke out anyone who disagreed.
2. to fight, esp. with the fists; do battle: The adversaries were prepared to duke it out in the alley.

Duke

1. 1855–1929, and his brother,1856–1925, U.S. industrialists.
2. a male given name.