deuce

¹

[ doos, dyoos ]

noun

1. Cards. a card having two pips; a two, or two-spot.
2. Dice.
   1. the face of a die having two pips.
   2. a cast or point of two.
3. Tennis. a situation, as a score of 40–40 in a game or 5–5 in a match, in which a player must score two successive points to win the game or two successive games to win the set.
4. Slang.
   1. a two-dollar bill.
   2. the sum of two dollars.

adjective

1. (especially in games, sports, and gambling) two.

deuce

²

[ doos, dyoos ]

noun

1. devil; dickens (used as a mild oath):

   Where the deuce did they hide it?

deuce

¹

/ djuːs /

interjection

1. an expression of annoyance or frustration

noun

1. the deuce
   intensifier used in such phrases as what the deuce, where the deuce, etc

deuce

²

/ djuːs /

noun

1. 1. a playing card or dice with two pips or spots; two
   2. a throw of two in dice
2. tennis a tied score (in tennis 40-all) that requires one player to gain two successive points to win the game

Word History and Origins

Origin of deuce¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English deus, dewes, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin duōs (masculine accusative of duo ) “two”

Origin of deuce²

First recorded in 1645–55; apparently to be identified with deuce ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of deuce¹

C17: probably special use of deuce ¹(in the sense: lowest throw at dice)

Origin of deuce²

C15: from Old French deus two, from Latin duos, accusative masculine of duo two

Example Sentences

A tight first set, packed with quality serving and ball-striking, saw neither player earn a chance of a break, with none of the 12 games leading to the tie-break even going to deuce.

From BBC

Machac, 23, made the brighter start to the match, imposing himself with a flurry of crunching forehands and taking Draper to deuce in the Brit’s opening service game.

From BBC

Dimitrov managed to avoid another disastrous start in the third set, fending off break point to hold from deuce.

From BBC

A stunning winner at deuce teed up a first match point and Herbert blinked to hand it over with a double fault.

From BBC

On Tuesday he clubbed two homers, then threw up deuces while rounding the bases in the Bronx.

From Seattle Times

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