ˈmärkwə̇s, ˈmȧk- noun
or mar·quis “, märˈkē, mȧˈ-
( plural mar·quess·es -kwə̇sə̇z ; or mar·quis·es -kwə̇sə̇z ; or mar·quis -kē(z))
Etymology: Middle English markis, marquis, from Middle French marquis, alteration (influenced by Old Provençal marques & Old Italian marchese marquis) of marchis, from marche boundary, boundary land, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German marha boundary, boundary land — more at marque , marchese , mark
1. : a nobleman of hereditary rank in Europe and Japan ; specifically : a member of the second grade of the peerage in Great Britain ranking below a duke and above an earl
2. obsolete : marchioness