esquire

[ es-kwahyuhr, e-skwahyuhr ]

/ ˈɛs kwaɪər, ɛˈskwaɪər /

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See synonyms for: esquire / esquires on Thesaurus.com

Definition of esquire

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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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. 2022

How to use esquire in a sentence

“[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

esquire

Definition of esquire

Origin of esquire

Words nearby esquire

Words related to esquire

How to use esquire in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for esquire

Word Origin for esquire