Definition

A nobleman in Italy who holds a rank higher than a count and lower than a prince.

Example

The marchese hosted a grand banquet at his estate to celebrate the festival.

Conversation

Did you know that my grandfather was a marchese in Italy?

Really? That's fascinating! What did he do?

He managed a large estate and was quite influential in his town.

That sounds amazing! It must have been interesting to learn about his life.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Marchese** → The word 'marchese' comes from Old French 'marquis', which itself derives from the Late Latin 'marchio' (meaning ruler of a border region). The term originally referred to a nobleman who governed a border territory, thus signifying a person of high rank overseeing a frontier area.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'ruler of a border region' — that's what a marchese is, a noble overseeing a frontier.

Visually Confused Words