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

The last time we saw Ro, she had become a traitor to the Federation by joining the Maquis in their fight against the Cardassians.

From New York Times

According to another theory, the French Maquis, as the resistance fighters were known, provoked the attack by storing arms in Oradour’s church.

From Washington Post

Some say the village was suspected of somehow aiding the Maquis, the French resistance fighters.

From New York Times

Also charged in the case is police officer Jorge Mario Ortíz Maquis for his role in bungling the investigation, but he died less than a month before the trial began from a terminal illness.

From Seattle Times

Despite leg and head wounds, he evaded German patrols, eventually joining up with the Maquis, a French Resistance group.

From Los Angeles Times