ducat

[ duhk-uht ]

noun

1. any of various gold coins formerly issued in various parts of Europe, especially that first issued in Venice in 1284. Compare sequin ( def 2 ).
2. any of various silver coins formerly issued in various parts of Europe.
3. Slang. a ticket to a public performance.
4. ducats, Slang. money; cash.

ducat

/ ˈdʌkət /

noun

1. any of various former European gold or silver coins, esp those used in Italy or the Netherlands
2. often plural any coin or money

Word History and Origins

Origin of ducat¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Old Italian ducato, from Medieval Latin ducātus “duchy,” probably so called from the Latin words dux or ducātus, which formed part of the legends of such coins; duchy

Word History and Origins

Origin of ducat¹

C14: from Old French, from Old Italian ducato coin stamped with the doge's image, from duca doge, from Latin dux leader

Example Sentences

All are performed before tens of thousands of fans paying exorbitant prices for hard-to-come-by ducats.

From Washington Post

The coins, called ducats, are “a symbol of good luck. … The details on the Ana coins are inspired by ducats.”

From Los Angeles Times

Caught in the middle is Pelosi, who appears to have moved firmly past a post-election struggle to regain the speaker’s gavel and recently finished handing out committee assignments and some other political ducats.

From Washington Post

Michelangelo doesn’t want a fiefdom in the Balkans; he wants cold, hard ducats.

From The New Yorker

For much of European art history, religious authorities had the whip hand when it came to painting: They controlled the imagery, owned the prime real estate and could pay top ducat for the best work.

From New York Times

Related Words

• accreditation
• certificate
• credential
• license
• passport
• permission
• permit
• pledge
• sanction
• subpoena
• summons
• ticket