marquis
noun /ˈmɑːkwɪs/
/ˈmɑːrkwɪs/
- (in some European countries but not the UK) a nobleman of high rank between a count and a duke
- (also marquess)(in the UK) a nobleman of high rank between an earl and a duke
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French marchis, reinforced by Old French marquis, both from the base of march ‘an area of land on the border between two countries or territories’.