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.

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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

esq., esquamate, esquiline, esquimalt, esquimau, esquire, esr, esrb, esrc, esro, esrog
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to esquire

sir, man, monsieur, signor

Example sentences from the Web for esquire

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