# marquise

/mˈɑːkwaɪz/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/marquise
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Definition

a woman who is the wife of a marquis, which is a high rank in the old French nobility. It can also describe a specific shape for a diamond or a type of cake.

For teachers: the wife or daughter of a marquis, a noble rank in the French peerage. In modern contexts, it refers to a specific elongated, pointed diamond cut or a rectangular cake with a pointed end.

## Examples

- The marquise wore a beautiful diamond necklace.
- The architect chose a marquise shape for the window to match the historical style of the building.
- While the title of marquise is largely ceremonial in modern France, the term persists in jewelry design to describe a gemstone cut that resembles a drop of water.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.