duchess /ˈdʌt͡ʃɪs/noun 2verb 1forms 3 noun2 •The wife or widow of a duke. •The female ruler of a duchy. verb1 •(Australia, informal) To court or curry favour for political or business advantage; to flatter obsequiously.‘A word to the wise, Murray. Those wogs you′ve been duchessing at Ethnic Affairs have got nothing on the culture vultures. Tear the flesh right off your bones, they will.’ — 1996 formsduchessed · duchessing · duchesses
