Crossword Genius

A noble estate (7)

Ross

I think it could be either:

earldom

dukedom

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'estate' is the definition.
(I know that dukedom is a type of fiefdom)

'a noble' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'noble' could be 'duke' (duke is a kind of noble) and 'duke' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'dom' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dukedom that I've seen before include "Highest title of aristocracy" , "Top peerage rank" , "Hereditary title" , "Wellington's rank" , "Noble rank" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail, The Irish Independent and The Telegraph.
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