esquire

[ es-kwahyuhr, e-skwahyuhr ]

noun

1. (initial capital letter) an unofficial title of respect, having no precise significance, sometimes placed, especially in its abbreviated form, after a man's surname in formal written address: in the U.S., usually applied to lawyers, women as well as men; in Britain, applied to a commoner considered to have gained the social position of a gentleman. : Esq.
2. squire ( def 2 ).
3. a man belonging to the order of English gentry ranking next below a knight.
4. Archaic. squire ( def 1 ).

verb (used with object)

, es·quired, es·quir·ing.

1. to raise to the rank of esquire.
2. to address as “Esquire.”
3. to escort or attend in public.

esquire

/ ɪˈskwaɪə /

noun

1. a title of respect, usually abbreviated Esq, placed after a man's name
2. (in medieval times) the attendant and shield bearer of a knight, subsequently often knighted himself
3. rare.
   a male escort

Word History and Origins

Origin of esquire¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English esquier, from Middle French escuier, from Latin scūtārius “shield bearer,” from scūt(um) scutum + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of esquire¹

C15: from Old French escuier, from Late Latin scūtārius shield bearer, from Latin scūtum shield

Example Sentences

Scott Neumyer is a writer from New Jersey whose work has been published by the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, GQ, Esquire, Parade magazine and other publications.

From Washington Post

“[I]ndeed, the Civil War was more or less administered from there,” an Esquire review asserts.

From The Daily Beast

Over the years, Crawford has been largely silent, speaking out only for an as-told-to obituary to Houston published in Esquire.

From The Daily Beast

“It really sucks to be in your younger twenties,” Colfer told Esquire.

From The Daily Beast

He wrote about their time together for the April 1982 issue of Esquire (and the piece appears here with the author's permission).

From The Daily Beast

This gives Nagrani greater satisfaction than to have Esquire last year crown his socks “the best in the world”.

From The Daily Beast

E was an Esquire, with pride on his brow; F was a Farmer, and followed the plough.

From Project Gutenberg

Walter Bellamy, Esquire, sitting in state, received his friend and partner with many smiles and much urbanity.

From Project Gutenberg

I set out at twilight to make a walk of thirteen miles to the house of our old friend Esquire Hooper.

From Project Gutenberg

Richard Blewitt, esquire, was sityouated as follows: He'd an incum of three hundred a year from his father.

From Project Gutenberg

He presented a petition to me to be permitted to add the names 'de Lincy' and 'Esquire' to his documents.

From Project Gutenberg