el duque
duke
Es un título de nobleza muy alto que el rey otorga a una persona importante.
Definition & meaning
Duque is a masculine Spanish noun meaning duke, a high-ranking member of the nobility. It can refer to:
-
A noble title, traditionally ranking below a prince and above a marquis.
- El duque de Alba — “The Duke of Alba.”
-
A person who holds this title, either by inheritance or, historically, by appointment from a monarch.
The feminine form is duquesa , meaning “duchess.”
Grammar & Word origin
The word comes from Latin dux, ducis, meaning “leader” or “commander.” It entered Spanish through forms related to the title used in medieval European nobility.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- noble — a general term for a member of the aristocracy; it is broader than duque.
- aristócrata — a member of the aristocratic class; this does not necessarily imply the specific rank of duke.
- grande de España — a high-ranking Spanish noble, sometimes a duke, but not exclusively.
Antonyms
There is no exact antonym for a hereditary title such as duque. Depending on the context, possible contrasts include:
- plebeyo — a commoner, traditionally someone outside the nobility.
- villano — historically, a non-noble or ordinary person; in modern Spanish, it more commonly means “villain.”
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
El duque visitó el castillo esta mañana.noun
The duke visited the castle this morning.
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