marchioness

[ mahr-shuh-nis, mahr-shuh-nes ]

/ ˈmɑr ʃə nɪs, ˌmɑr ʃəˈnɛs /

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noun British.

marquise (defs. 1, 2).

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Origin of marchioness

1770–80; <Medieval Latin marchiōnissa, equivalent to marchiōn- (stem of marchiō) marquis + -issa-ess

usage note for marchioness

See -ess.

Words nearby marchioness

March fly, March hare, marching girl, marching orders, marching orders, get one's, marchioness, marchland, march-order, marchpane, march-past, march to a different beat

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use marchioness in a sentence

The words of her daughter had put the Marchioness to silence, and she leaned upon the shoulder of Louis, drowned in tears.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
He had written his name with pencil upon a leaf which he tore from his pocket-book, and sent it to the Marchioness.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
The Marchioness observed a brilliant flush shoot over the face of her auditor, as he bowed his head to her last words.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
He took the seat offered to him, by the Marchioness; and listened to her conversation with soothed attention.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter

In hopes to sooth him, the Marchioness asked two or three questions respecting Wharton.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter

British Dictionary definitions for marchioness

marchioness

/ (ˈmɑːʃənɪs, ˌmɑːʃəˈnɛs) /

noun

the wife or widow of a marquis

a woman who holds the rank of marquis

Word Origin for marchioness

C16: from Medieval Latin marchionissa, feminine of marchiō marquis

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012