deuce

¹deuce

noun \ˈdüs also ˈdyüs\

Definition of DEUCE

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>

Examples of DEUCE

1. She beat her opponent after eight deuces.

Origin of DEUCE

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Game Terms

bezique, carom, convention, crap, euchre, gambit, monte, parlay, tierce

Rhymes with DEUCE

crouse, crus, cruse, douce, goose, juice, loose, moose, mousse, noose, nous, puce, rhus, ruse, Russ, schuss, Seuss, sluice, spruce, truce, use, Zeus

²deuce

transitive verb

deuceddeuc·ing

Definition of DEUCE

: to bring the score of (a tennis game or set) to deuce

First Known Use of DEUCE

1919