/doohk, dyoohk/ , n. , v. , duked, duking .
n.
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. dukes , Slang. fists; hands: Put up your dukes.
v.t.
6. Slang. 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.
7. duke it out , to fight, esp. with the fists; do battle: The adversaries were prepared to duke it out in the alley.
[ 1100-50; ME duke, duc, late OE duc duc, dus, dux dux hereditary ruler of a small state, L: leader; see DUX; dukes "fists" of unclear derivation and perh. of distinct orig. ]