marchioness

(märs̸hən is, mär′s̸hən es)

noun

  1. the wife or widow of a marquess
  2. a lady whose rank in her own right equals that of a marquess

Origin: ML marchionissa, fem. of marchio, prefect of the marches < marcha, border < Frank *marka, mark

See marchioness in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. The wife or widow of a marquis.
  2. A noblewoman ranking above a countess and below a duchess. Also called marquise.
  3. Abbr. March. Used as a title for such a noblewoman.

Origin:

Origin: Medieval Latin marchiōnissa

Origin: , feminine of marchiō, marchiōn-, marquis

Origin: , from marca, boundary

Origin: , of Germanic origin; see merg- in Indo-European roots

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