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 /

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

deuce

²

/ djuːs /

interjection

1. an expression of annoyance or frustration

noun

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

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

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

Origin of deuce²

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

Example Sentences

Sabalenka held serve just once in the opening set - and even that required three deuce games - and quickly found herself a double break down.

From BBC

A mammoth fourth game saw seven deuces and Maria saving two break points for 3-1, before a brilliant scamper to a drop shot in the next allowed her to go a double break up.

From BBC

A hard-fought hold after three deuces set Gauff on her way at the start of the third set before breaking to go 3-1 up and safely seeing out the rest of the encounter.

From BBC

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

Related Words

• convict 
• crook 
• culprit 
• felon 
• fugitive 
• gangster 
• hoodlum 
• hooligan 
• lawbreaker 
• mobster 
• offender 
• thug