marquis

[mahr-kwis, mahr-kee; French mar-kee] /ˈmɑr kwɪs, mɑrˈki; French marˈki/
noun, plural marquises [mahr-kwi-siz] /ˈmɑr kwɪ sɪz/ (Show IPA), marquis
[mahr-keez; French mar-kee] /mɑrˈkiz; French marˈki/ (Show IPA)
1.
a nobleman ranking next below a duke and above an earl or count.
Also, British, marquess.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English markis < Middle French marquis < Italian marchese < Medieval Latin *(comēs) marc(h)ēnsis (count) of a borderland. See march2, -ese
Can be confused
marque, marquee, marquess, marquis, marquise.

Marquis

[mahr-kwis] /ˈmɑr kwɪs/
noun
1.
Don(ald Robert Perry) 1878–1937, U.S. humorist and poet.
British Dictionary definitions for marquis

marquis

/ˈmɑːkwɪs; mɑːˈkiː; French marki/
noun (pl) -quises, -quis
1.
(in various countries) a nobleman ranking above a count, corresponding to a British marquess. The title of marquis is often used in place of that of marquess
Word Origin
C14: from Old French marchis, literally: count of the march, from marchemarch²

Marquis

/ˈmɑːkwɪs/
noun
1.
Don(ald Robert Perry). 1878–1937, US humorist; author of archy and mehitabel (1927)
Word Origin and History for marquis
n.

also marquess, c.1300, title of nobility, from Old French marchis, literally "ruler of a border area," from Old French marche "frontier," from Medieval Latin marca "frontier, frontier territory" (see march (n.1)). Originally the ruler of border territories in various European regions (e.g. Italian marchese, Spanish marqués); later a mere title of rank, below duke and above count. Related: Marquisate.