maquis

noun

ma·​quis ma-ˈkē How to pronounce maquis (audio)
mä-
plural maquis ma-ˈkē(z) How to pronounce maquis (audio)
mä-
1
: thick scrubby evergreen underbrush of Mediterranean shores
also : an area of such underbrush
2
often capitalized
a
: a guerrilla fighter in the French underground during World War II
b
: a band of maquis

Examples of maquis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The coast is part of the Bandite di Scarlino Nature Reserve—with pristine Tuscan beaches and protected Mediterranean maquis scrub. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 29 May 2022 The Hanotte matriarch, Georgette, then dressed the men as coal merchants and guided them across the border into the hands of the local French maquis (resistance), who would get the officers to Dunkirk. Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2022

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian macchie, plural of macchia thicket, sketch, spot

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of maquis was in 1829

Dictionary Entries Near maquis

Cite this Entry

“Maquis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maquis. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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