margrave

American  

[mahr-grayv] / ˈmɑr greɪv /

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.

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margrave British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• margravial
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of margrave

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

margrave

The elector Philip of Hesse followed suit, as did the margrave of Brandenburg, the dukes of Schleswig and Brunswick, and many smaller potentates of the empire.

From Salon ● Apr. 13, 2014

The king of Bohemia was designated as cupbearer, the margrave of Brandenburg as chamberlain, the count palatine as seneschal, and the duke of Saxony as marshal.

From A Source Book of Medi?val History Documents Illustrative of European Life and Institutions from the German Invasions to the Renaissance by Frederic Austin Ogg

LIV Thereat straight to their quarters the noble knights withdrew, The lord of Bern, Sir Dietrich, and the good margrave too.

From The Nibelungenlied Revised Edition by Unknown

The margrave would not tarry, but ever on would speed.

From The Nibelungenlied Revised Edition by Unknown

Nay," said the noble margrave, "that were unwisely done.

From The Nibelungenlied Revised Edition by Unknown