Mar"quis (?), n. [F. marquis,
OF. markis, marchis, LL. marchensis; of German
origin; cf. G. mark bound, border, march, OHG. marcha.
See March border, and cf. Marchioness, Marquee,
Marquess.] 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.