margrave

[ mahr-greyv ]
/ ˈmɑr greɪv /

noun

(formerly) the hereditary title of the rulers of certain European states.
History/Historical. a hereditary German title, equivalent to marquis.
(originally) a military governor of a German mark, or border province.

Origin of margrave

1545–55; earlier marcgrave < Middle Dutch, equivalent to marke border (cognate with march2) + grave count (cognate with reeve1); compare German Markgraf

OTHER WORDS FROM margrave

mar·gra·vi·al, adjective

Words nearby margrave

margination, marginoplasty, margosa, margot, margravate, margrave, margravine, margrethe ii, marguerite, margulies, marheshvan

Example sentences from the Web for margrave

British Dictionary definitions for margrave

margrave
/ (ˈmɑːˌɡreɪv) /

noun

a German nobleman ranking above a count. Margraves were originally counts appointed to govern frontier provinces, but all had become princes of the Holy Roman Empire by the 12th century

Word Origin for margrave

C16: from Middle Dutch markgrave, literally: count of the march ²