duchess
UK[ˈdʌtʃəs]US[ˈdʌtʃəs]
n
the wife of a duke
n
a woman who holds the rank of duke in her own right
Morpheme Breakdown
duke
ess
duke
ess
Etymology
the word 'duchess' entered english in the 14th century from the old french duchesse, which itself derived from the medieval latin ducissa. this latin term was formed by adding the feminine suffix -issa to the stem of dux (genitive ducis), meaning 'leader' or 'commander'. the core root, dux, originates from the proto-indo-european root \deuk-, meaning 'to lead', which also gives us words like 'duct' and 'duke'. thus, the literal construction 'female leader' evolved through french and latin to specifically denote the wife or female equivalent of a duke, a title for a sovereign ruler of a duchy.
Analysis
Structure: duke + ess
duke (from latin dux, meaning 'leader', via old french duc; denotes a noble rank) + ess (from latin -issa, via old french -esse; a feminine suffix forming nouns denoting female counterparts)
Examples
the duchess attended the charity gala with her husband, the duke.
after her father's death, she became the duchess of northumberland in her own right.
the portrait of the duchess was displayed prominently in the grand hall.