duchess

[ duhch-is ]
/ ˈdʌtʃ ɪs /

noun

the wife or widow of a duke.
a woman who holds in her own right the sovereignty or titles of a duchy.

Origin of duchess

1300–50; Middle English duchesse < Anglo-French, Old French, feminine derivative of duc duke; see -ess

usage note for duchess

See -ess.

OTHER WORDS FROM duchess

duch·ess·like, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for duchess

British Dictionary definitions for duchess

duchess
/ (ˈdʌtʃɪs) /

noun

the wife or widow of a duke
a woman who holds the rank of duke in her own right

verb (tr)

Australian informal to overwhelm with flattering attention

Word Origin for duchess

C14: from Old French duchesse, feminine of duc duke