marquess

[ mahr-kwis ]

noun

, British.

1. marquee ( def 3 ).
2. marquis.

marquess

/ ˈmɑːkwɪs /

noun

1. (in the British Isles) a nobleman ranking between a duke and an earl
2. See marquis

Word History and Origins

Origin of marquess¹

Spelling variant of marquis

Example Sentences

One of twins, she was the youngest of six children of the eighth marquess of Queensberry.

From BBC

Prince William, the heir to the throne, will be there along with his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and their children, as well as marquesses, dukes, baronesses, lords and earls.

From New York Times

A duke is the highest ranking member of the English nobility, followed by marquesses, earls, viscounts and barons.

From New York Times

His sister Sybil, who married a marquess and restored the palatial Houghton Hall in Norfolk, sat several times for John Singer Sargent, drenched in silk that resembles whipped butter.

From New York Times

“Yes! From Haiti, he sailed to Paris. His father was a marquess. That’s just below a duke,” she adds, turning toward Zion.

From Literature