duce

duce — noun

1. the Italian word for 'leader,' used in English almost always to refer to Benito

1.名詞C1
釋義

the Italian word for 'leader,' used in English almost always to refer to Benito Mussolini, the fascist ruler who gave himself this title and governed Italy from 1922 to 1943

例句

Sayaka's grandfather still remembered the propaganda posters showing Il Duce.

historical usage: 'Il Duce' as Mussolini's title

History books across Europe describe how Il Duce seized power in Italy.

同義詞
  • führer

    the German equivalent title used by Hitler; carries the same historical weight

  • caudillo

    the Spanish equivalent used by Franco; also a fascist-era title

  • dictator

    a broader, more general term for any absolute ruler

用法筆記

In English this word almost always appears with the Italian definite article 'Il' — 'Il Duce' — referring specifically to Mussolini. It is not used as a general term for any leader.

常見錯誤

❌He was the duce of the student council.
✅He was the leader of the student council.
💡'duce' is a historical title tied to Mussolini, not a general English word for 'leader.'