deuce

1
[ doos, dyoos ]
/ dus, dyus /

noun

Cards. a card having two pips; a two, or two-spot.
Dice.
  1. the face of a die having two pips.
  2. a cast or point of two.
Tennis. a situation, as a score of 40–40 in a game or 5–5 in a match, in which a player must score two successive points to win the game or two successive games to win the set.
Slang.
  1. a two-dollar bill.
  2. the sum of two dollars.

adjective

(especially in games, sports, and gambling) two.

Origin of deuce

1
1425–75; late Middle English deus < Anglo-French, Middle French: two < Latin duōs (masculine accusative of duo)

Definition for deuce (2 of 2)

deuce 2
[ doos, dyoos ]
/ dus, dyus /

noun

devil; dickens (used as a mild oath): Where the deuce did they hide it?

Origin of deuce

2
First recorded in 1645–55; apparently to be identified with deuce1

Example sentences from the Web for deuce

British Dictionary definitions for deuce (1 of 2)

deuce 1
/ (djuːs) /

noun

  1. a playing card or dice with two pips or spots; two
  2. a throw of two in dice
tennis a tied score (in tennis 40-all) that requires one player to gain two successive points to win the game

Word Origin for deuce

C15: from Old French deus two, from Latin duos, accusative masculine of duo two

British Dictionary definitions for deuce (2 of 2)

deuce 2
/ (djuːs) informal /

interjection

an expression of annoyance or frustration

noun

the deuce (intensifier) used in such phrases as what the deuce, where the deuce, etc

Word Origin for deuce

C17: probably special use of deuce 1 (in the sense: lowest throw at dice)