esquire

[ es-kwahyuh r, e-skwahyuh r ]

/ ˈɛs kwaɪər, ɛˈskwaɪər /

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.

RELATED WORDS

sir, man, monsieur, signor

Nearby words

Origin of esquire

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples 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
Indeed, he is said to have been esquire at one time to the Earl of Arundel.
Owen Glyndwr and the Last Struggle for Welsh Independence|Arthur Granville Bradley
Leaving behind her esquire, who was not yet armed, she went down.
A Popular History of France From The Earliest Times|Francois Pierre Guillaume Guizot
When all were seated the sergeant-at-arms made proclamation, and called upon Warren Hastings, Esquire, to appear in court.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
The outside of the letter was superscribed as the other, "F. Levison, Esquire," no doubt with a view to its more certain delivery.
East Lynne|Mrs. Henry Wood
Passedix paid the bill and left the wine shop, flanked by his page and his esquire.
The Bath Keepers, v.2 (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume VIII)|Charles Paul de Kock

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

Word Origin and History for esquire

esquire

late 14c., from Middle French esquier "squire," literally "shield-bearer" (for a knight), from Old French escuyer, from Vulgar Latin scutarius "shield-bearer, guardsman" (in classical Latin, "shield-maker"), from scutum "shield" (see hide (n.1)).

For initial e-, see especial. Cf. squire. Originally the feudal rank below knight, sense broadened 16c. to a general title of courtesy or respect for the educated class, especially, later, in U.S., for lawyers.

esquire

noun

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

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of esquire

Examples from the Web for esquire

esquire

noun

Word Origin for esquire

esquire