Duce
(ˈduːtʃeɪ)
Also duce.
[It., = leader.]
A leader; spec. Il Duce or The Duce, title assumed by Benito Mussolini (1883–1945), the creator and leader of the Fascist state in Italy.
| 1923 B. Quaranta di San Severino Mussolini p. xv, Three..important elements account for the success of the ‘National Fascista Party’..above all, the personality of Mussolini himself, the ‘Duce’, as he is called. 1928 Observer 12 Feb. 12 Signor Mussolini makes no allusion to theocracy in his preface to Major Barnes's book. Nevertheless, it is obvious that the book is acceptable to the Duce. 1930 Economist 25 Oct. 748/2 The Austro-German ‘duce's’ [i.e. Hitler's] anxiety..to deny that the damage has been done by the Nazis. 1937 A. Huxley Ends & Means v. 34 They yet persist in taking the same roads as are taken by the Duces and Fuehrers. 1937 [see bilateral a. c]. 1965 ‘C. Hibbert’ Garibaldi & his Enemies i. iv. 57 The sight of the ‘Duce’ [sc. Garibaldi] sitting astride his horse. 1971 R. Collier (title) Duce! The rise and fall of Benito Mussolini. |