Marque
/mɑːrk/noun
A sign, label, or trademark, especially one used to identify a brand or product; also a type of raid or reprisal in historical usage.
Did you know?The same root behind *marque* also gave English *mark*, *market*, and *marquee*, all tied to the ancient idea of a sign or boundary that declares ownership or status.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*merǵ-
“to mark, bound, or delimit”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*markō
“boundary, sign, landmark”
Old English
English
mearc
“boundary, sign, token”
Old French
Old French
marque
“mark, sign, stamp; later a vessel or reprisal raid”
Modern English
English
marque
“a brand or trade name; in historical contexts, an authorized reprisal or private war”