maquis

American  

[mah-kee, ma-, ma-kee] / mɑˈki, mæ-, maˈki /

Or Maquis

noun

1. the French underground movement, or Resistance, that combatted the Nazis in World War II.

2. Also called maquisard.  a member of this movement.

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maquis British  

/ mɑːˈkiː /

noun

1. shrubby mostly evergreen vegetation found in coastal regions of the Mediterranean: includes myrtles, heaths, arbutus, cork oak, and ilex

2. (often capital)

   1. the French underground movement that fought against the German occupying forces in World War II

   2. a member of this movement

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Etymology

Origin of maquis

1940–45; < French, special use of maquis, makis wild, bushy land < Italian (Corsican dial.) macchie (with French -is for -ie ), plural of macchia a thicket < Latin macula spot

Example Sentences

It's likely that she was often alone in Vabre too, as Pierre spent time away with the maquis.

From BBC • Sep. 25, 2021

Pierre's training also helped the Vabre maquis to carry out a dramatic attack on a German supply train heading for Castres on 19 August 1944.

From BBC • Sep. 25, 2021

Wild donkeys watched us impassively from the roadside; the surrounding meadows were dyed red and yellow where poppies and daisies rioted among maquis trees and gauzy tufts of wild fennel.

From Washington Post • Aug. 13, 2015

"Old Uncle Ho and his comrades would go back to the maquis," wrote Chaffard, rather than suffer a military defeat at American hands.

From Time Magazine Archive

Miss Nevil, somewhat startled at finding herself thus left in sole charge of a handsome young Corsican gentleman in the middle of a maquis, was rather puzzled what to do next.

From Colomba by Loyd, Lady Mary Sophia (Hely-Hutchinson)