/mahr kee"/ , n.
1. a tall rooflike projection above a theater entrance, usually containing the name of a currently featured play or film and its stars.
2. a rooflike shelter, as of glass, projecting above an outer door and over a sidewalk or a terrace.
3. Also, marquess, marquise . Brit. a large tent or tentlike shelter with open sides, esp. one for temporary use in outdoor entertainments, receptions, etc.
adj.
4. superlative; headlining: a marquee basketball player.
[ 1680-90; assumed sing. of MARQUISE, taken as pl. ]