Skip to main content
ducal

ducal

1 9.9
Relating to a duke or the land he rules
  • adjective
  • /ˈdjuːkəl/
  • Formal
: ducales
  • The present ducal tombs illustrate the function of the attic in this respect.

Examples

  • Discover the measurement of the Cortevacchia, the old courtyard in the Ducal Palace.

  • Two sumptuous volumes of large engraved plates show views and plans of the principal cities and ducal residences of the domain.

    Academic text (1995)
  • lead into a ducal palace

  • Where is the ducal signet ring?

  • This is my father's ducal signet.

  • Formally you go to one of the buildings in the world I like most, the ducal palace in Urbino.

  • We can also see that the ducal family and court occupy the area of the chapel behind the prelates.

    Academic text (1995)
  • The main portal of the chapel opens at the top of the plan into a gallery leading to the sala and ducal apartments of the palace.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Such documents were used to shore up the claims to antiquity or legitimacy of a monastic foundation, a bishopric, or a ducal house.

    Academic text (2005)
  • The grand chandelier hung elegantly in the ducal palace, reflecting the opulence of its heritage.

Surface Forms

ducal positive

Morphology

ducal = duke (transparent) = duke + al

The adjective is a regular and clearly motivated formation from the noun 'duke' with the suffix '-al', meaning 'of or relating to a duke'.

Etymology

Ducal comes from the same root as duke and the Latin dux, which means 'leader'. So ducal means 'belonging to a duke' or 'fit for a duke', which is why we use it for crests, grand homes, and other noble things.