Definition

1. Noun:
   • The wife of a duke: A woman who holds the title of duchess through marriage to a duke.
   • A woman holding the rank of duke in her own right: A woman who possesses the sovereign or noble title of duke, making her a duchess in her own right, independent of a husband.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The duchess attended the state ceremony with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.
  • After her father's death, she became the Duchess of Marlborough in her own right, inheriting the title and estates.
  • The royal ball was attended by several dukes and duchesses.

Advanced Usage

• "To duchess someone" (verb, informal, chiefly Australian/British slang): To treat someone in a flattering or ingratiating manner, especially to gain favor.
  • He tried to duchess the committee members before the vote.
• "A grand duchess": The wife of a grand duke or a woman holding that sovereign rank herself, a title higher than a duchess in some European traditions.

Variants and Related Words

• Duchy (n): The territory or domain ruled by a duke or duchess.
  • The Duchy of Cornwall provides an income for the heir to the British throne.
• Ducal (adj): Relating to a duke or duchess.
  • They lived in the ducal palace.

Synonyms

• Peeress: A woman who holds a peerage title (e.g., duchess, countess, baroness).
• Noblewoman: A woman belonging to the nobility.

Related Phrases

• "To put on the duchess" (idiom, informal): To behave in an affectedly grand or haughty manner.
  • Ever since she got the promotion, she's been putting on the duchess with her old friends.

Noun

1. the wife of a duke or a woman holding ducal title in her own right