Word
marquis
Phoneticsmar·quis
US/ˌmɑɹˈki/
UK/mɑːrkˈiː/
Definition
n. a man of high social rank in the nobility, below a duke but above an earl or count.
n. a member of the peerage ranking below a duke and above an earl or count; historically, a lord responsible for defending border territories.
Examples
“The marquis lived in a large castle in the countryside.”
“The marquis attended the royal ball to represent his family's interests at court.”
“Historical records indicate that the marquis held significant land rights along the border, serving as a strategic buffer between the two warring duchies.”
Examples
simple
“The marquis lived in a large castle in the countryside.”
contextual
“The marquis attended the royal ball to represent his family's interests at court.”
complex
“Historical records indicate that the marquis held significant land rights along the border, serving as a strategic buffer between the two warring duchies.”
Usage
Often used with 'of' followed by a place name, or as a direct title before a surname.
Pitfall
The Marquis of London.
The Marquess of London.
In British English, 'Marquess' is the standard spelling for the title, while 'Marquis' is the French spelling often used for non-British nobles.
Real-World Examples
“If someone is deemed to have a carefree and opulent lifestyle, Spaniards say they live like a marquis or a king, vivir como un marqués or vivir como un rey .” Etymology
Borrowed from French marquis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.