duces

Duces is a Latin noun form meaning leaders or commanders. It is the nominative plural of dux, a term for a military or political leader. The root is duc-, from which Latin declined dux, duc-is (singular), with the plural nominative duces, while other forms include ducis (genitive singular), duci (dative singular), ducem (accusative singular), and duce (ablative singular). In the plural, duces is paired with ducum (genitive plural) and ducibus (dative/ablative plural).

In classical Latin texts, duces appears to identify multiple leaders or commanders, often in military or political contexts. Because Latin nouns and their forms are inflected, the exact meaning depends on syntax within a sentence. English-language discussions of Latin grammar or translations may cite duces when illustrating plural forms of dux.

In modern usage, duces is generally encountered in scholarly writing or when Latin terminology is quoted. The related term Il Duce—Italian for “the Leader”—is best known as the title adopted by Benito Mussolini; in English, it is usually treated as a proper noun. The plural Latin form duces is seldom used outside Latin grammar discussions and historical references to Latin or Italian leadership titles.

Overall, duces is primarily a technical term within Latin grammar, reflecting the plural of a word for leader. Its prominence in contemporary discourse is largely academic or historical rather than everyday. See also: dux, duc-", Il Duce, Latin declension.