marque

[ mahrk ]

/ mɑrk /

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noun

letter of marque.

Obsolete. seizure by way of reprisal or retaliation.

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Origin of marque

1375–1425; late Middle English <Middle French <Provençal marca seizure by warrant (originally token) <Germanic; see mark¹

Words nearby marque

marouflage, marplot, Marprelate, Marq., Marquand, marque, marquee, Marquesan, Marquesas Islands, marquess, marquessate

Other definitions for marque (2 of 2)

marque²

[ mahrk ]

/ mɑrk /

noun

a product model or type, as of a luxury or racing car.

Origin of marque

1905–10; <French: literally, mark, sign, noun derivative of marquer to mark, probably dial. derivative of Old French merc, merche boundary, boundary marker <Old Norse merki (from same Germanic base as march², mark¹, marque¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use marque in a sentence

What happens if an automaker offers him the chance to reinvent an iconic marque?
Apple’s Brain Drain|Dan Lyons|June 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST
I believed my land-service commission would protect me, but I asked for the letter-of-marque as an additional safeguard.
The Supplies for the Confederate Army|Caleb Huse
The scheme was not impossible for any one holding a privateer's commission, and I applied to Mr. Yancey for a letter-of-marque.
The Supplies for the Confederate Army|Caleb Huse
That letters of marque should be issued to private individuals, empowering them to fit out vessels for the capture of slavers.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan

Rather be a letter of marque, in fact, than a ship-of-the-line,—more credit to your Lordship's love of danger than discipline.
The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. II (of II)|Charles James Lever
Numerous ships were put in commission, and letters of marque and reprisal were issued by the Admiralty against Spain.
How Britannia Came to Rule the Waves|W.H.G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for marque

marque

/ (mɑːk) /

noun

a brand of product, esp of a car

an emblem or nameplate used to identify a product, esp a car

See letter of marque

Word Origin for marque

from French, from marquer to mark 1

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