marchioness
[
mahr
-sh
uh
-nis, mahr-sh
uh
-
nes
]
/ˈmɑr ʃə nɪs, ˌmɑr ʃəˈnɛs/
noun
,
British
1.
marquise
(defs 1, 2).
Origin
1770-80;
<
Medieval Latin
marchiōnissa,
equivalent to
marchiōn-
(stem of
marchiō
)
marquis
+
-issa
-ess
Usage note
See
-ess.
British Dictionary definitions for
marchioness
marchioness
/
ˈmɑːʃənɪs;
ˌmɑːʃəˈnɛs
/
noun
1.
the wife or widow of a marquis
2.
a woman who holds the rank of marquis
Word Origin
C16: from Medieval Latin
marchionissa,
feminine of
marchiō
marquis
Word Origin and History for
marchioness
n.
16c., from Medieval Latin
marchionissa
, fem. of
marchio
"marquis," from
marca
(see
marquis
(n.)).