marchioness
(ˈmɑːʃənɪs)
Also 7 -esse, -isse, marquionesse.
[ad. med.L. marchiōnissa, f. marchiōn-em: see marchion and -ess.]
1. The wife or widow of a marquis, or a lady holding in her own right the position equal to that of marquis.
| [1533 in Rymer's Fœdera XIV. 477/1 Cum..Domina Anna, tunc Marchionissa Penbrochiæ, nunc vero Regina.] 15.. Bk. Precedence in Q. Eliz. Acad. (1869) 14 Item, a dukes daughter is borne a Marchionesse. Ibid. 15 A Marquesse must goe after his Creation.., and the Marchionesse his wife according to the same. 1611 Cotgr., Marquise, a Marchionesse. 1613 Shakes., etc. Hen. VIII, ii. iii. 63 The Kings Maiesty..Doe's purpose honour to you no lesse flowing, Then Marchionesse of Pembrooke. 1615 Thomas Lat. Dict., Præses limitaneus, a marques, or marquionesse. c 1630 Risdon Surv. Devon §312 (1810) 324 The lady marchioness of Winton. 1631 B. Jonson Underwoods c. Elegy on Lady Jane Pawlet, Shee was the Lady Jane, and Marchionisse Of Winchester; the Heralds can tell this. 1829 Lytton Disowned xl, His day with the beautiful marchioness was over. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 565/1 His [a marquis'] wife, who also is ‘most honourable’, is a marchioness, and is styled ‘my lady marchioness’. |
b. allusive. A maid-of-all-work.
| [1840 Dickens Old C. Shop lvii, ‘To make it seem more real and pleasant, I shall call you the Marchioness, do you hear?’ The small servant nodded.] 1883 Sala in Illustr. Lond. N. 24 Nov. 499/1 A little bit of a maid-of-all-work... This ‘Marchioness’..has..been the object of the most astounding ‘manifestations’. 1885 ‘J. S. Winter’ Bootles' Baby ii. 36 To develop into the unnaturally widened and unkempt hand of a ‘Marchioness’. |
2. A kind of pear. (Cf. marquis 5, marquise 2.)
| 1706 London & Wise Retir'd Gard. I. 32 The Marchioness... 'Tis very butterish, and of a sweet Muskish Juice. 1875 Hogg Fruit Man. (ed. 4) 479. |
3. A size of slate measuring 22 inches by 11, or 20 by 12.
| 1878 D. C. Davies Slate & Slate Quarrying 136 Princesses..Duchesses..Marchionesses..Countesses. |