margrave

[ mahr-greyv ]

noun

1. (formerly) the hereditary title of the rulers of certain European states.
2. History/Historical. a hereditary German title, equivalent to marquis.
3. (originally) a military governor of a German mark, or border province.

margrave

/ ˈmɑːˌɡreɪv /

noun

1. a German nobleman ranking above a count. Margraves were originally counts appointed to govern frontier provinces, but all had become princes of the Holy Roman Empire by the 12th century

Other Words From

• mar·gravi·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of margrave¹

1545–55; earlier marcgrave < Middle Dutch, equivalent to marke border (cognate with march ² ) + grave count (cognate with reeve ¹ ); compare German Markgraf

Word History and Origins

Origin of margrave¹

C16: from Middle Dutch markgrave, literally: count of the march ²

Example Sentences

He is referred to by the historian Widukind as a preses, and is sometimes called the “great margrave.”

From Project Gutenberg

In Paris, the Margrave favoured her with so little of his company that she felt constrained to inquire the reason.

From Project Gutenberg

The Margrave made considerable Augmentations to this House, and render'd it very commodious.

From Project Gutenberg

The Margrave's Palace is a great old Pile, but not very commodious, and meanly furnish'd.

From Project Gutenberg

These, when the Margrave goes abroad, attend him on horseback, dress'd like Hussurs.

From Project Gutenberg