A marquess is a nobleman of high hereditary rank in various European peerages and in those of some of their former colonies. The title of marquess is the second-highest title in the British peerage, holding precedence following Dukes, in order of creation. In Great Britain and historically in Ireland, a marquess ranks below a duke and above an earl. The German language equivalent is Markgraf (margrave). The feminine form of marquess is referred to as a marchioness or marquise. The dignity, rank, or position of the title is a marquisate or marquessate. A woman with the rank of a marquess or the wife (or widow) of a marquess is a marchioness or marquise. The theoretical distinction between a marquess and other titles has, since the Middle Ages, faded into obscurity.