A marquise (pronounced “mar-KEEZ”) is a noblewoman who ranks just below a duchess in some European aristocracies. If you've read about royal courts or watched movies set in historical France or England, you've probably encountered marquises: they were wealthy, powerful women who attended balls, influenced politics, and managed large estates. A marquise might be born into nobility or gain the title by marrying a marquess (the male equivalent).

The word also refers to a distinctive diamond cut: a marquise diamond has an elongated oval shape with pointed ends, like a stretched-out football. Jewelers still use this elegant cut for engagement rings and other fine jewelry.

Less commonly, marquise can mean a covered entrance projecting over a sidewalk, like the awning you see over the entrance to a fancy hotel or old movie theater. This usage is more common in British English.