duchess

n. a woman who has the same high rank as a duke, often by marriage.

n. the wife or widow of a duke; a woman holding the highest rank of the peerage below a princess.

“The duchess attended the charity event to help raise money for the local hospital.”

“Following the death of her husband, the duchess continued to manage the family estate with significant political influence in the region.”

n. a woman who is the official ruler of a small area called a duchy.

n. a female monarch or sovereign ruler of a duchy.

“As the reigning duchess, she had the final say on all new laws in her territory.”

“History records her as a formidable duchess who successfully defended her small territory against larger neighbouring kingdoms during the fourteenth century.”

Formal

v. to treat someone with a lot of extra attention to get a business or political favour.

v. to court, flatter, or treat someone with lavish attention to secure a political or commercial advantage.

“The company tried to duchess the visiting ministers by hosting a fancy dinner.”

“The premier was accused of trying to duchess the foreign investors by providing them with exclusive access to the state's natural resources.”

Informal · Dialect · American English