remarque: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low / SpecializedFormal / Technical (Fine Art, Printmaking, Literary Critique)
Quick answer
What does “remarque” mean?
A small design or mark made in the margin of a plate or print.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small design or mark made in the margin of a plate or print; a marginal comment or note.
An artist's proof bearing such a mark; more broadly, any noteworthy observation or comment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning. Usage is uniformly rare and specialist in both varieties.
Connotations
Conveys an air of connoisseurship, antiquity, or artistic/literary precision.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Confined almost exclusively to contexts involving fine art print collecting, bibliophilia, or highly stylized literary writing.
Grammar
How to Use “remarque” in a Sentence
The artist executed a remarque [in the margin].The print bears/has a remarque [of a small bird].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “remarque” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The etcher will remarque the proof before the final edition is run.
American English
- The artist remarqued each copy of the lithograph with a tiny initial.
adjective
British English
- He purchased a remarque edition of the aquatint.
American English
- The remarque proof is more valuable than the standard one.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Used in art history, printmaking studies, and textual criticism to describe annotated proofs or manuscripts.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Core term in fine art printmaking and collecting, denoting a unique, often hand-drawn, addition to a print.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “remarque”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “remarque”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “remarque”
- Using 'remarque' in general conversation to mean 'remark'.
- Pronouncing it as /ˈriːmɑːrk/ (like 're-mark').
- Misspelling as 'remark' in a specialist art context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While etymologically related, in modern English 'remarque' is a highly specialised term from printmaking and connoisseurship. Using it to mean a verbal comment is archaic and pretentious.
It is pronounced identically to the word 'remark': /rɪˈmɑːk/ (UK), /rɪˈmɑːrk/ (US). The '-que' ending is silent.
A remarque proof is an artist's proof that includes a unique, hand-drawn sketch or symbol. This personal touch, often done for friends, patrons, or as a trial, makes each proof one-of-a-kind, unlike the identical prints in the main edition.
Yes, but only in specific contexts like art history, printmaking, or textual analysis of manuscripts. In any other academic field (e.g., science, economics, general literature), it would be inappropriate. Always use the more common 'annotation', 'marginal note', or 'remark' unless discussing the specific artistic practice.
A small design or mark made in the margin of a plate or print.
Remarque is usually formal / technical (fine art, printmaking, literary critique) in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-MARQUE. A RE-markable extra MARK an artist adds to a print to make it unique.
Conceptual Metaphor
A REMARQUE IS A FINGERPRINT (a unique, identifying mark of the artist's personal touch).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'remarque' most appropriately used?