Margrave

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈmɑːɡɹeɪv/
• US IPA: /ˈmɑɹɡɹeɪv/

Origin

From Middle Dutch marcgrāve (modern Dutch markgraaf), cognate with Old High German marcgrāvo (modern German Markgraf), from the Germanic bases of mark ("march, border territory") + grave ("officer of comital rank"). Compare marchion, marquis, landgrave.

Full definition of margrave

Noun

1. A feudal era military-administrative officer of comital rank in the Carolingian empire and some successor states, originally in charge of a border area.
• 1973: Among pulverised heads of stone margraves and electors, reconnoitering a likely-looking cabbage patch, all of a sudden Slothrop picks up the scent of an unmistakable no it can’t be yes it is it’s a REEFER! — Thomas Pynchon, Gravity’s Rainbow
2. A hereditary ruling prince in certain feudal states of the Holy Roman Empire and elsewhere; the titular equivalent became known as marquis or marquess.
• 1516: The Margrave of Bruges was their head. — Thomas More, Utopia, Chapter 1.

Derived terms

Related terms

• burgrave
• landgrave
• paltsgrave
• waldgrave