marquis en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈmɑɹ.kwɪs/ (General-American)
- /mɑɹˈkiz/ (General-American) for the plural spelled marquis
- /ˈmɑː.kwɪs/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- (Southern-England) audio
- /mɑɹˈki/ (General-American)
Etymology
From Middle English markis, from Old French markis, marchis, from Late Latin marchensis, from Old High German marcha and Frankish *marku, from Proto-Germanic *markō, from Proto-Indo-European *mórǵs (“edge, boundary”). Meaning is “lord of the march”, in sense of march (“border country”).
Meanings
- A nobleman in England, France, and Germany, of a rank next below that of duke, but above a count. Originally, the marquis was an officer whose duty was to guard the marches or frontiers of the kingdom. The office has ceased, and the name is now a mere title conferred by letters patent or letters close.
- Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the Asian genus Bassarona (or Euthalia).
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| marquis | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| marquises | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| marquisses | Number=Plur | obsolete | lexicographic |
| marquesse | alternative | lexicographic | |
| marquess | alternative | lexicographic |
Deriveds
marquisess · marquisdom · marquisship · macaroni marquis · Marquis reagent · Marquis of Queensberry rules · Marquis wheat · marquisate