marquises

Noun

marquis (plural marquises or marquis or (obsolete) marquisses)

1. A nobleman in England, France, and Germany, of a rank next below that of duke, but above a count. Originally, the marquis was an officer whose duty was to guard the marches or frontiers of the kingdom. The office has ceased, and the name is now a mere title conferred by letters patent or letters close.
2. Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the Asian genus Bassarona (or Euthalia).

See all 7 meanings of marquis

Noun

marquise (plural marquises)

1. (historical) A marchioness, especially one who is French.
   • In 1986, she appeared in the stage adaptation of Les Liaisons Dangereuse opposite Alan Rickman, playing the manipulative marquise whose icy demeanour seems to have clung to Duncan's image like frost ever since, even though it is so at odds with her warmth in person.2009 February 14, Emine Saner, “'She was a mass of contradictions - we all are'”, in The Guardian

   Synonyms:

   marchioness

2. A marquee.
3. An oval cut gemstone with pointed ends.
4. A canopy, usually of glass, set as a shelter over a door opening onto a terrace or pavement.
   • The house was a big elaborate limestone affair, evidently new. Winter sunshine sparkled on lace-hung casement, on glass marquise, and the burnished bronze foliations of grille and door.1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter I, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC
5. (historical) A style of parasol of the mid-19th century.
6. A rich dessert made with dark chocolate, butter, sugar, cocoa powder, eggs, and cream.