Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- the wife or widow of a duke.
- a woman who holds in her own right the sovereignty or titles of a duchy.
noun
- the wife or widow of a duke
- a woman who holds the rank of duke in her own right
verb (tr)
- Australian informal to overwhelm with flattering attention
c.1300, from Old French duchesse, from Late Latin or Medieval Latin ducissa, fem. of dux (see duke (n.)). Often spelled dutchess until early 19c. (e.g. Dutchess County, New York, U.S.).