marque

¹ American  

[mahrk] / mɑrk /

noun

1. letter of marque.

2. Obsolete. seizure by way of reprisal or retaliation.

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marque ² American  

[mahrk] / mɑrk /

noun

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

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marque British  

/ mɑːk /

noun

1. a brand of product, esp of a car

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

3. See letter of marque

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Etymology

Origin of marque¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Middle French < Provençal marca seizure by warrant (originally token) < Germanic; see mark ¹

Origin of marque²

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 march ², mark ¹, marque ¹

Example Sentences

Jaguar – a part of Jaguar Land Rover – is to be relaunched as an all-electric marque and moved sharply upmarket as part of a major restructuring at the company.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2025

Volkswagen Group’s most profitable marque has also promoted a 22-foot boat made by Seven Seas Yachts called the Hermes Speedster, which was made to evoke the Porsche 356 vintage car.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 29, 2023

Mr. Biden will then travel to Saudi Arabia for a marque meeting in Jeddah with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other regional Arab leaders Friday evening.

From Washington Times • Jul. 14, 2022

Li said Nio plans to use self-produced battery packs for its new mass-market marque, which is expected be ready for sale in the second half of 2024.

From Reuters • Jun. 10, 2022

“She’s a letter of marque ship,” Hab said.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham