MARGRAVE

margrave

(noun) a German nobleman ranking above a count (corresponding in rank to a British marquess)

margrave

(noun) the military governor of a frontier province in medieval Germany

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

margrave (plural margraves)

(historical) A feudal era military-administrative officer of comital rank in the Carolingian empire and some successor states, originally in charge of a border area.

Source: Wiktionary

Mar"grave, n. Etym: [G. markgraf, prop., lord chief justice of the march; mark bound, border, march + graf earl, count, lord chief justice; cf. Goth. gagrëfts decree: cf. D. markgraaf, F. margrave. See March border, and cf. Landgrave, Graff.]

1. Originally, a lord or keeper of the borders or marches in Germany.

2. The English equivalent of the German title of nobility, markgraf; a marquis.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition