marquis

¹

[mahr-kwis, mahr-kee, mar-kee]

noun

plural

marquises, marquis 

1. a nobleman ranking next below a duke and above an earl or count.

Marquis

²

[mahr-kwis]

noun

1. Don(ald Robert Perry), 1878–1937, U.S. humorist and poet.

Marquis

¹

/ ˈmɑːkwɪs /

noun

1. Don ( ald Robert Perry ). 1878–1937, US humorist; author of archy and mehitabel (1927)

marquis

²

/ ˈmɑːkwɪs, marki, mɑːˈkiː /

noun

1. (in various countries) a nobleman ranking above a count, corresponding to a British marquess. The title of marquis is often used in place of that of marquess

Word History and Origins

Origin of marquis¹

1250–1300; Middle English markis < Middle French marquis < Italian marchese < Medieval Latin *( comēs ) marc ( h ) ēnsis (count) of a borderland. See march ², -ese

Word History and Origins

Origin of marquis¹

C14: from Old French marchis, literally: count of the march, from marche _march ²

Related Words

• aristocrat 
• blue blood 
• emperor 
• patrician