margrave

American  

[mahr-greyv] / 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.

---

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

---

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

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

Little his custom'd bounty did then the margrave spare.

From The Nibelungenlied Revised Edition by Unknown

Well saw the noble margrave, her grief was lively yet.

From The Nibelungenlied Revised Edition by Unknown

"Fain will I," said the margrave, "high lady, for your sake."

From The Nibelungenlied Revised Edition by Unknown

Thus the bold knights of Dietrich reveng'd the margrave well.

From The Nibelungenlied Revised Edition by Unknown