marquis

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A nobleman ranking below a duke and above an earl or a count.
2. n. Used as a title for such a nobleman.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. In Great Britain and France, and in other countries where corresponding titles exist, a nobleman whose rank is intermediate between that of an earl or count and that of a duke. A marquis was originally an officer charged with the government of a march or frontier territory; the title as an honorary dignity was first bestowed in England in 1386. Dukes have commonly the secondary title of marquis, which is used as the courtesy-title of their eldest sons. The wife of a marquis is styled marchioness. The coronet of an English marquis consists of a richly chased circle of gold, with four strawberry-leaves alternating with four balls or large pearls set on short points on its edge; the cap is of crimson velvet, with a gold tassel on the top, and turned up with ermine. See cut under coronet.

Wiktionary

1. n. 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 patent.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A nobleman in England, France, and Germany, of a rank next below that of duke. 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 patent.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. nobleman (in various countries) ranking above a count
2. n. humorist who wrote about the imaginary life of cockroaches (1878-1937)