squire
[skwahyuh r]
- (in England) a country gentleman, especially the chief landed proprietor in a district.
- (in the Middle Ages) a young man of noble birth who as an aspirant to knighthood served a knight.
- a personal attendant, as of a person of rank.
- a man who accompanies or escorts a woman.
- a title applied to a justice of the peace, local judge, or other local dignitary of a rural district or small town.
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- to attend as, or in the manner of, a squire.
- to escort (a woman), as to a dance or social gathering.
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Origin of squire
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for squire
Contemporary Examples
Seemingly sad beyond consolation, the widow begs the squire to finish her off the same way.
Historical Examples
He made his way to the house of Squire Paine, and, after a brief pause, was admitted.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
His guns, dogs, and horses, were the things the squire held most dear.
"Nay, I had other things upon my mind," the squire answered.
The White CompanyArthur Conan Doyle
"As empty as an English squire, coz," cried the first speaker.
The White CompanyArthur Conan Doyle
For me, I will ride into their camp with my squire and two archers.
The White CompanyArthur Conan Doyle
squire
- a country gentleman in England, esp the main landowner in a rural community
- feudal history a young man of noble birth, who attended upon a knight
- rare a man who courts or escorts a woman
- informal, mainly British a term of address used by one man to another, esp, unless ironic, to a member of a higher social class
- Australian an immature snapperSee snapper (def. 2)
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- (tr) (of a man) to escort (a woman)
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Word Origin
C13: from Old French esquier; see esquire
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for squire
n.
late 13c., "young man who attends a knight," later "member of the landowning class ranking below a knight" (c.1300), from Old French esquier "squire," literally "shield carrier" (see esquire). Meaning "country gentleman, landed proprietor" is from 1670s; as a general term of address to a gentleman, it is attested from 1828.
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v.
"to attend (a lady) as a gallant," late 14c., from squire (n.). Related: Squired; squiring.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper