Noblewomen (6)
'noblewomen' is the definition.
(duchess is a kind of noblewoman)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for duchesses that I've seen before include "aristocrats" , "ladies" .)
'noblewomen' is the definition.
('lady' can be a synonym of 'noblewoman')
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for ladies that I've seen before include "Well-mannered women" , "Wives of knights" , "Convenience" , "Ideals for genteel women" , "Ideals for gentlewomen" .)
(Other definitions for dames that I've seen before include "Knighted or slangy women" , "Honoured women" , "Women (US sl.)" , "English ladies - American women" , "Pantomime men as women" .)