ˈdəks, ˈdu̇ks noun
( plural du·ces ˈd(y)üˌsēz, ˈdüˌkās ; also duxes ˈdəksə̇z, ˈdu̇k-)
Etymology: Latin, literally, leader — more at duke
1. : a military commander stationed in a province of the later Roman Empire
2. Britain : the pupil at the academic head of his class or of his school
3. : the theme of a fugue or canon — compare comes