Definitions:
a gold coin of a type minted by the republic of venice from the 13th century, and until the 19th century widely used in trade and commerce throughout europe, the eastern mediterranean, and further afield; any of various similar coins minted elsewhere, especially those produced to the same standards as the venetian coin for the purpose of facilitating international trade; a ducat. also occasionally more generally: †a coin; a piece of money (obsolete).