Doge

(doj.) It., from L. duca, principal.] (Hist.) The distinctive title given formerly to the chief magistrate in the quondam republics of Venice and Genoa, Italy. The do gate or presidiary office arose in the former city in the year 697, as an elective dignity held by the po e or during life: in Genoa the term of office was limited to 2 years. The Venetian D. were ostensibly invested with almost regal attributes; they had entire jurisdiction over all departments of state-civil, military, and ecclesiastical. Some 4 centuries, however, after the creation of the do gal office, the D. became a mere honorary and ornamental representative of the state, the real and active power being vested in the Council of Ten, elected by the Senate. Hence, the D. became, as it were, a lay-figure for the performance of certain functions of a formal character, such as the reception of amba adors, the espousal of the Adriatic, .: so that the office became at length one to be rather avoided than sought after. After an existence of 1,100 years, the dignity perished along with the republic under the conquering eagles of Napoleon, 1797. Dog-fish. (Zool.) See SQUALIDE. [s. 296]