esquire

[ es-kwahyuhr, e-skwahyuhr ]

/ ˈɛs kwaɪər, ɛˈskwaɪər /

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See synonyms for: esquire / esquires on Thesaurus.com

noun

(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. Abbreviation: Esq.

squire (def. 2).

a man belonging to the order of English gentry ranking next below a knight.

Archaic. squire (def. 1).

verb (used with object), es·quired, es·quir·ing.

to raise to the rank of esquire.

to address as “Esquire.”

to escort or attend in public.

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Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?

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Origin of esquire

1425–75; late Middle English esquier<Middle French escuier<Latin scūtārius shield bearer, equivalent to scūt(um) (see scutage) + -ārius-ary

Words nearby esquire

esquamate, -esque, Esquiline, Esquimalt, Esquimau, esquire, ESR, ESRB, ESRC, ESRO, esrog

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for esquire

“[I]ndeed, the Civil War was more or less administered from there,” an Esquire review asserts.
The Bars That Made America Great|Nina Strochlic|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Over the years, Crawford has been largely silent, speaking out only for an as-told-to obituary to Houston published in Esquire.
Inside the Lifetime Whitney Houston Movie’s Lesbian Lover Storyline|Kevin Fallon|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“It really sucks to be in your younger twenties,” Colfer told Esquire.
Chris Colfer on Writing, Acting, and the Pain of Being A Pop Culture Trailblazer|Oliver Jones|December 15, 2014|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).
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

This gives Nagrani greater satisfaction than to have Esquire last year crown his socks “the best in the world”.
The Hot Designer Who Hates Fashion: VK Nagrani Triumphs His Own Way|Tom Teodorczuk|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
E was an Esquire, with pride on his brow; F was a Farmer, and followed the plough.
Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17)|Various
Walter Bellamy, Esquire, sitting in state, received his friend and partner with many smiles and much urbanity.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
I set out at twilight to make a walk of thirteen miles to the house of our old friend Esquire Hooper.
Famous Adventures And Prison Escapes of the Civil War|Various
Richard Blewitt, esquire, was sityouated as follows: He'd an incum of three hundred a year from his father.
Memoirs of Mr. Charles J. Yellowplush|William Makepeace Thackeray
He presented a petition to me to be permitted to add the names 'de Lincy' and 'Esquire' to his documents.
The False Chevalier|William Douw Lighthall

British Dictionary definitions for esquire

esquire

/ (ɪˈskwaɪə) /

noun

mainly British a title of respect, usually abbreviated Esq, placed after a man's name

(in medieval times) the attendant and shield bearer of a knight, subsequently often knighted himself

rare a male escort

Word Origin for esquire

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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esquire

noun

verb (used with object), es·quired, es·quir·ing.

QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Origin of esquire

Words nearby esquire

Example sentences from the Web for esquire

British Dictionary definitions for esquire

noun

Word Origin for esquire

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

esquire

noun

verb (used with object), es·quired, es·quir·ing.

QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Origin of esquire

Words nearby esquire

Words related to esquire

Example sentences from the Web for esquire

British Dictionary definitions for esquire

noun

Word Origin for esquire