duchess

name

1. A village in Alberta, Canada.

noun

Etymology: From Middle English duchesse, from Old French duchesse. Doublet of duchesse.

1. The wife or widow of a duke.

   “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have ended months of intense speculation by announcing they are expecting their first child, but were forced to share their news earlier than hoped because of the Duchess's admission to hospital on Monday.”

2. The female ruler of a duchy.

verb

Etymology: From Middle English duchesse, from Old French duchesse. Doublet of duchesse.

1. to court or curry favour for political or business advantage; to flatter obsequiously.

   “On arrival in England he was “duchessed” in a manner that no Australian Prime Minister has ever been “duchessed” before or since. Northcliffe was looking for someone around whom he could build a campaign against Asquith. Hughes filled the bill nicely.”

   “‘A word to the wise, Murray. Those wogs you′ve been duchessing at Ethnic Affairs have got nothing on the culture vultures. Tear the flesh right off your bones, they will.’”