deuce¹ / d(y)oōs/ • n. 1. a thing representing, or represented by, the number two, in particular: ∎  the two on dice or playing cards. ∎  a throw of two at dice. ∎ inf., dated a two-dollar bill.2. Tennis the tie score of 40-all in a game, at which a player needs two consecutive points to win the game.deuce² • n. (the deuce) inf. used as a euphemism for “devil” in expressions of annoyance, impatience, or surprise or for emphasis: how the deuce are we to make a profit? what the deuce are you trying to do?PHRASES: a (or the) deuce of a —— used to emphasize how bad, difficult, or serious something is.

deuce 1 two at dice or cards XV; (at tennis) the point at which each side has scored 40 and the game is à deux ‘at two’, i.e. when two successive points must be gained to win XVI. — OF. deus (mod. deux) :- L. duōs acc. TWO.

deuce a thing representing, or represented by, the number two; the word is recorded from the late 15th century, and comes from Old French deus ‘two’, from Latin duos.

In tennis, deuce is the score of 40 all in a game, at which each player needs two consecutive points to win the game.

deuce 2 in imprecatory phr. †a deuce on, the (†a) deuce take, what the (†a) deuce, plague, mischief, (later) the Devil. XVII. — LG. duus = G. daus, prob. to be identified ult. with prec. as a dicer's exclamation on making the lowest throw, viz. a two.

DEUCE See ACE.