marquess
Marquess (noun) means a nobleman ranking below a duke and above an earl. Example: “The marquess inherited the estate from his late father.”
How to use marquess
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA British noble rank, between duke and earl.
Despite the "-ess" ending, a marquess is male; the female equivalent is a marchioness.
Word forms
marquesses plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ inherited the estate from his late father.
Etymology
A variant of marquis; unusually for English, marquess ends in "-ess" yet refers to a man, since the "-ess" here comes from the French spelling rather than marking the feminine.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for marquess
See all rhymes for marquess →Frequently asked questions
What does “marquess” mean?
The word “marquess” means a nobleman ranking below a duke and above an earl. In plain terms, a British noble rank, between duke and earl.
How do you pronounce “marquess”?
“Marquess” is pronounced MAH-kwihs (/ˈmɑɹ.kwɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “marquess” in a sentence?
Here is “marquess” used in a sentence: “The marquess inherited the estate from his late father.”
What part of speech is “marquess”?
“Marquess” is a noun.
Where does the word “marquess” come from?
The word “marquess” comes from French. A variant of marquis; unusually for English, marquess ends in "-ess" yet refers to a man, since the "-ess" here comes from the French spelling rather than marking the feminine.