marquis
/ˈmɑːkwɪs
/noun
1(In some European countries) a nobleman ranking above a count and below a duke. Compare with marquess.The Venetian republic forbade its citizen nobles (those who sat in the Consiglio Maggiore) from assuming titles such as prince, duke, marquis, or count....
- But from 1385, the establishment of superior titles of duke, marquis, and viscount pushed barons into the lowest rank of the nobility.
- For Chambers, the counts, barons, knights, earls and marquises of this island are not only set apart, but are also misunderstood and misrepresented; they remain a shadowy bunch, unknown to the greater part of the population.
1.1 another term for marquess.This potent coterie contained 100 aristocrats and businessmen (including 6 dukes, 6 marquises, 8 earls, and 17 other peers) along with 23 MPs.
Origin
Middle English: from Old French marchis, reinforced by Old French marquis, both from the base of march2.