megaduke

English

Etymology

From Byzantine Greek μέγας δούξ (mégas doúx, literally “great leader”). By surface analysis, mega- +‎ duke.

Noun

megaduke (plural megadukes)

1. (historical, military) The commander in chief of the Byzantine navy.
   • 1968, Alan Lloyd, The Spanish Centuries, page 56:

     Roger de Flor was given the title of megaduke and the King of Bulgaria's daughter as his wife.

   • 1979, Jean Richard, translated by Janet Shirley, The Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, volume 1, page 50:

     In September 1169 the Byzantine admiral, the megaduke Andronicus Contostephanus, arrived in Tyre […]

   • 1987, John V. A. Fine, Jr., The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, page 35:

     After Manuel's death, the actual number of ships and sailors under the megaduke had declined significantly, and the sailors tended to consist of unreliable foreigners.