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 points2: a tie in tennis after each side has scored 40 requiring two consecutive points by one side to win3 [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>