Main Entry: ¹deuce

Pronunciation: \ˈdüs also ˈdyüs\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English dewes, from Anglo-French deus two, from Latin duos, accusative masculine of duo two — more at two

Date: 15th century

1 a (1) : the face of a die that bears two spots (2) : a playing card bearing an index number two b : a throw of the dice yielding two points
2 : a tie in tennis after each side has scored 40 requiring two consecutive points by one side to win
3 [obsolete English deuce bad luck] a : devil, dickens —used chiefly as a mild oath <what the deuce is he up to now> b : something notable of its kind <a deuce of a mess>