DEUCE Meaning and
Definition
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Deuce is a noun with multiple definitions, depending on the context in which it is used.
1. In card games, particularly in poker and some forms of euchre, deuce refers to a playing card with a rank of two. In a standard deck of playing cards, there are four deuces, one in each suit.
2. In tennis, deuce is a term used to indicate a score of forty-all, where each player has won three points in a game. When the score is deuce, the next point scored is called an "advantage" point, and the player who scores that point gains the advantage to win the game.
3. Deuce can also refer to a tie score of 2-2 in several other sports, such as badminton or table tennis.
4. In informal American English, deuce may be used to describe something difficult or troublesome. For example, "That math problem was a deuce, I couldn't figure it out!"
5. As a slang term, deuce is often used to refer to the Devil, originating from the notion that the Devil, or Satan, is associated with the number two.
Overall, deuce can carry different meanings depending on the context, ranging from a playing card with a rank of two, a specific score in various sports, to even being used to describe something challenging or the Devil.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for DEUCE *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for DEUCE
Etymology of DEUCE
The word "deuce" has several different etymological origins, depending on its specific usage. Here are a few possible sources:
1. Card Game: In the context of card games, particularly in poker and some other gambling games, "deuce" refers to the playing card with a rank of two. The term "deuce" in this sense comes from the Old French word "deus", which means "two". This Old French word, in turn, originates from the Latin word "duos", also meaning "two".
2. Tennis: In tennis, the term "deuce" is used to describe a tied score of 40-40, indicating that both players need to win two more points to win the game. This usage of "deuce" comes from an alteration of the earlier term "deux à deux", meaning "two to two" in French, which emphasized the tied score.
Idioms with the word DEUCE
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What the deuce?
The idiom "What the deuce?" is an old-fashioned expression that is used to convey surprise, annoyance, or confusion. It can be seen as a more polite alternative to using an expletive or curse word.
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deuce-deuce
The idiom "deuce-deuce" refers to a .22 caliber handgun or a .22 caliber firearm. It is derived from the slang term "deuce," which is a common nickname for the number two, and "22," which represents the specific caliber measurement of the firearm.
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Who the deuce?
The idiom "Who the deuce?" is an informal way of asking, "Who on earth?" or "Who the hell?" It is used to express surprise, confusion, or frustration about someone or something.
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like the deuce
The idiom "like the deuce" typically means "like crazy" or "very fast" or "intensely." It is often used to describe someone or something that is acting or behaving in an extreme or intense manner.
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the deuce to pay
The idiom "the deuce to pay" refers to a challenging or troublesome situation that is very difficult to resolve or escape from. It suggests that there will be severe consequences, trouble, or trouble ahead due to a particular situation or action.
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a (or the) deuce of a —
Similar spelling words for DEUCE
- decoy,
- Dessie,
- dease,
- dice,
- deice,
- dewees,
- dec,
- de-ice,
- duce,
- deweese,
- deck,
- decay,
- Dees,
- desch,
- deese,
- dec 25,
- dec 24,
- dehisce,
- des.
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