marquis
nouncommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈmɑː.kwɪs//
- United States//mɑɹˈki//
- United States//ˈmɑɹ.kwɪs//
- United States//mɑɹˈkiz//
A nobleman in England, France, and Germany, of a rank next below that of duke, but above a count. Originally, the marquis was an officer whose duty was to guard the marches or frontiers of the kingdom. The office has ceased, and the name is now a mere title conferred by letters patent or letters close.
noun
- 1
A nobleman in England, France, and Germany, of a rank next below that of duke, but above a count. Originally, the marquis was an officer whose duty was to guard the marches or frontiers of the kingdom. The office has ceased, and the name is now a mere title conferred by letters patent or letters close.
- 2
Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the Asian genus Bassarona (or Euthalia).
Etymology
From Middle English markis, from Old French markis, marchis, from Late Latin marchensis, from Old High German marcha and Frankish *marku, from Proto-Germanic *markō, from Proto-Indo-European *mórǵs (“edge, boundary”). Meaning is “lord of the march”, in sense of march (“border country”).
Forms
- plural
- marquises, marquisses
marquis · A nobleman in England, France, and Germany, of a rank next below that of duke, but above a count. Originally, the marquis was an officer whose duty…
Marquis · A surname from French.marquise · A marquee.marriage · The state of being married.