n. (as a title usu. Duke)
1. a a person holding the highest hereditary title of the nobility. b a sovereign prince ruling a duchy or small State.
2 (usu. in pl.) sl. the hand; the fist (put up your dukes!).
3 Bot. a kind of cherry, neither very sweet nor very sour.
Phrases and idioms:
royal duke a duke who is also a royal prince.
Etymology: ME f. OF duc f. L dux ducis leader