Etymology Map
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Duchess

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means the wife or widow of a duke

Where does the word "duchess" come from? It comes from Latin dux, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
dux
Latin · ancient
"leader"
the root of 'duke' and 'conduct'
2
Stage 2 of 3
duchesse
Old French · medieval
"duke's wife"
the feminine suffix -esse
3
Stage 3 of 3
duchess
English · 1300s
"duke's wife"
'duchess' potatoes date from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Duchess’s story begins in Latin: dux meant “leader.” The root of 'duke' and 'conduct'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as duchesse. The feminine suffix -esse. It reached English by 1300s as duchess. 'duchess' potatoes date from the 1800s. Today, duchess means the wife or widow of a duke.