[1540–50; marquis + -ate3, as trans. of F marquisat, It marchesato]This word is first recorded in the period 1540–50. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: cabinet, flare, horizon, monitor, telltale-ate is a suffix occurring orig. in nouns borrowed from Latin, and in English coinagesfrom Latin bases, that denote offices or functions (consulate; triumvirate; pontificate), as well as institutions or collective bodies (electorate; senate); sometimes extended to denote a person who exercises such a function (magistrate; potentate), an associated place (consulate), or a period of office or rule (protectorate). Joined to stems of any origin, -ate signifies the office, term of office, or territory of a ruler or official (caliphate; khanate; shogunate)