1250–1300; Middle English markis < Middle French marquis < Italian marchese < Medieval Latin *( comēs ) marc ( h ) ēnsis (count) of a borderland. See march 2, -ese
A marquis is a nobleman. If you're a marquis, your rank is higher than a baron or a count, but lower than a duke or a prince. In systems like monarchies, where people inherit a certain rank, a marquis is one of the title given to men. The French spelling, marquis, is common in most parts of Europe, although in Britain they prefer marquess. Sometimes being a marquis includes some real power to rule a territory, but it's more often just an honorary title. The equivalent for a woman is being a marchioness.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
All but one of the Pekes were left home last week, but the marquis' ballet dancers were on hand to entertain his guests with a performance of Swan Lake.
From Time Magazine Archive
Lifar rushed up to him, theatrically flung a scented handkerchief at the marquis' exquisitely shod feet.
From Time Magazine Archive
This remark appeared to lessen somewhat the marquis' regret.
From The Barber of Paris by Kock, Charles Paul de
He obtained information as to the marquis' hotel, and he soon arrived there.
From The Barber of Paris by Kock, Charles Paul de
The barber bowed to Julia, and having given Marcel the marquis' orders, left the little house and returned to his home.
From The Barber of Paris by Kock, Charles Paul de
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
