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marchioness

American  
[mahr-shuh-nis, mahr-shuh-nes] / ˈmɑr ʃə nɪs, ˌmɑr ʃəˈnɛs /

noun

British.
  1. marquise.


marchioness British  
/ ˈmɑːʃənɪs, ˌmɑːʃəˈnɛs /

noun

  1. the wife or widow of a marquis

  2. a woman who holds the rank of 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

Gender

See -ess.

Etymology

Origin of marchioness

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The costumes, by Vanessa Sannino, are luxuriously eccentric: Françoise Gillard, in the role of a marchioness, looks like a fabulous golden beehive.

From New York Times Jun. 23, 2022

The Botin family is part of Spain’s aristocracy - the King of Spain made Botin’s mother a marchioness in 2008.

From Reuters Jan. 31, 2020

One assumes there are many important moments in the life of a marchioness, which is the British aristocratic title that comes after duchess.

From Washington Post Mar. 12, 2011

“My grandmother perennially gave joke presents,” she said, referring to the marchioness of Dufferin and Ava.

From New York Times Dec. 21, 2010

He lost no time in returning home, which he reached just before his father and the marchioness.

From The Browning Cyclop?dia A Guide to the Study of the Works of Robert Browning by Edward Berdoe

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