doge
/dəʊdʒ
/noun historical
The chief magistrate of Venice or Genoa.If the ruler's ‘will’ could be voted down by his advisers, the regal power would be no more than that of the doge of Venice....
- In 840 a treaty between Charlemagne's grandson Lothair and the doge of Venice, protected Venice's neutrality and guaranteed its security from the mainland.
- The doge, senate, and government of Venice were then excommunicated and the entire Republic placed under interdict.
Origin
Mid 16th century: from French, from Venetian Italian doze, based on Latin dux, duc- 'leader'.