<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>(in Continental Europe) the male ruler of a duchy; the sovereign of a small state</li><li>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</li><li>a nobleman of corresponding rank in certain other countries</li><li>a cultivated hybrid of the sweet and sour cherry</li><li>dukes, Slang. fists; hands: Put up your dukes.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object), duked, duk·ing. Slang. to hit or thrash with the fists (sometimes followed by out): The bully said he was going to duke out anyone who disagreed. He duked me because he said I had insulted him.</li></ul>