duchy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a territory ruled by a duke or duchess, or historically held as their domain

   The duchy remained under the duke's control until it was absorbed into the kingdom.

From Middle English duche and Anglo-Norman duche, from Old French duc ('duke') or Medieval Latin ducatus ('a duke's office or territory'), ultimately from Latin dux ('leader'), related to ducere ('to lead'). Ducat is a historical doublet from the same Latin source.

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