duce

noun

du·​ce ˈdü-(ˌ)chā How to pronounce duce (audio)
: leader
used especially for the leader of the Italian Fascist party

Word History

Etymology

Italian (Il) Duce, literally, the leader, title of Benito Mussolini, from Latin duc-, dux

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of duce was in 1923

Dictionary Entries Near duce

Cite this Entry

“Duce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duce. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!