maquis

or Ma·quis

[ mah-kee, ma-; French ma-kee ]

noun

, plural ma·quis [mah-, keez, ma-, m, a, -, kee].

1. the French underground movement, or Resistance, that combatted the Nazis in World War II.
2. Also called maquisard. a member of this movement.

maquis

/ mɑːˈkiː /

noun

1. shrubby mostly evergreen vegetation found in coastal regions of the Mediterranean: includes myrtles, heaths, arbutus, cork oak, and ilex
2. often capital
   1. the French underground movement that fought against the German occupying forces in World War II
   2. a member of this movement

Word History and Origins

Origin of maquis¹

1940–45; < French, special use of maquis, makis wild, bushy land < Italian (Corsican dial.) macchie (with French -is for -ie ), plural of macchia a thicket < Latin macula spot

Word History and Origins

Origin of maquis¹

C20: from French, from Italian macchia thicket, from Latin macula spot

Example Sentences

Your fine cloth frock-coat would be in tatters in two days, if you wore it in the maquis.

From Project Gutenberg

We shall meet again in the maquis, some day, perhaps, and then we'll continue our study of Virgil.

From Project Gutenberg

Startled by the firing, a horse which had been wandering through the maquis, was really coming close up to them.

From Project Gutenberg

I had a guide with me, for fear I should lose my way in the maquis.

From Project Gutenberg

Rand leaned over and spat into the brass cuspidor, a gesture of braggadocio he had picked up among the French maquis.

From Project Gutenberg