marque
1- letter of marque.
- Obsolete. seizure by way of reprisal or retaliation.
Origin of marque
1marque
2- a product model or type, as of a luxury or racing car.
Origin of marque
2La Marque
- a city in SE coastal Texas.
Examples from the Web for marque
Historical Examples of marque
Letters of Marque were granted by the Governor of the Mauritius.
Famous Privateersmen and Adventurers of the SeaCharles H. L. Johnston
Also a colloquialism for marque, as a letter of mart or marque.
The Sailor's Word-BookWilliam Henry Smyth
And what did your letters of marque say as to the Portuguese slaver we sank in the Gaboons?
Athelstane FordAllen Upward
Of course we are really a trader, though we do carry a letter of marque.
Held Fast For EnglandG. A. Henty
"You mean she is able to see anybody on the platform," said Marque, confused and astounded.
The Gay RebellionRobert W. Chambers
marque
- 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
Word Origin and History for marque
"seizure by way of reprisal," mid-15c., in letters of marque "official permission to capture enemy merchant ships," from Anglo-French mark (mid-14c.), via Old French from Old Provençal marca "reprisal," from marcar "seize as a pledge, mark," probably from a Germanic source (cf. Old High German marchon "delimit, mark;" see mark (n.1)), but the sense evolution is difficult.