n.
Pronunciation: ' mär- ˌ gr ā v
Function: noun
Etymology: Dutch markgraaf, from Middle Dutch marcgrave; akin to Old High German marha boundary and to Old High German gr ā vo count ― more at MARK
Date: 1551
1 : the military governor especially of a German border province
2 : a member of the German nobility corresponding in rank to a British marquess
– mar · gra · vi · al \ mär- ' gr ā -v ē - ə l \ adjective