duke it out - 1 dictionary results
duke
[dook, dyook] 
noun, verb, duked, duk⋅ing.
–noun
–verb (used with object)
—Idiom
| 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. Compare 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. |
| 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. |
Origin:
1100–50; ME duke, duc, late OE duc < OF duc, dus, dux < ML dux hereditary ruler of a small state, L: leader; see dux; dukes “fists” of unclear derivation and perh. of distinct orig.
1100–50; ME duke, duc, late OE duc < OF duc, dus, dux < ML dux hereditary ruler of a small state, L: leader; see dux; dukes “fists” of unclear derivation and perh. of distinct orig.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Cite This Source
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