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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

duc·at

Audio Help [duhk-uh

t] Pronunciation Key

–noun

1.	any of various gold coins formerly issued in various parts of Europe, esp. that first issued in Venice in 1284. Compare sequin (def. 2).

2.	any of various silver coins formerly issued in various parts of Europe.

3.	Slang. a ticket to a public performance.

4.	ducats, Slang. money; cash.

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME < MF < OIt ducato < ML ducātus duchy; prob. so called from the L words dux or ducātus, which formed part of the legends of such coins

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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ducat

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

duc·at Audio Help (dŭk'ət) Pronunciation Key
n.

Any of various gold coins formerly used in certain European countries.
Slang
1. A piece of money.
2. An admission ticket.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Old Italian ducato, from Medieval Latin ducātus, duchy (a word used on one of the early ducats); see duchy.]

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
ducat

c.1384, from O.Fr. ducat, from It. ducato, from M.L. ducatus "coin," originally "duchy," from dux (gen. ducis) "duke" (see duke). So called for the name or effigy of Roger II of Sicily, Duke of Apulia, which first issued the coins (c.1140). The legend on them read, "Sit tibi, Christe, datus, quem tu regis, iste ducatus." Byzantine emperor Constantine X had the Gk. form doux struck on his coins during his reign (1059-67). Over the years it was a unit of currency of varying value in Holland, Russia, Austria, Sweden, Venice, etc. Remained popular in slang for "money" or "ticket" from its prominence in "The Merchant of Venice."

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

ducat
noun
formerly a gold coin of various European countries

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Ducat

Duc"at\, n. [F. ducat, It. ducato, LL. ducatus, fr. dux leader or commander. See Duke.] A coin, either of gold or silver, of several countries in Europe; originally, one struck in the dominions of a duke.

Note: The gold ducat is generally of the value of nine shillings and four pence sterling, or somewhat more that two dollars. The silver ducat is of about half this value.

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