ESQUIRE Definition & Meaning

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esquire

[ es-kwahyuhr, e-skwahyuhr ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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. : 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)

esquired, esquiring.

to raise to the rank of esquire.
to address as “Esquire.”
to escort or attend in public.

esquire

/ ɪˈ��ɲ�ɪə /

noun

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

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of esquire¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English esquier, from Middle French escuier, from Latin ��ū��ܲ� “shield bearer,” from ��ū��(�ܳ�) scutum + -��ܲ� -ary

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of esquire¹

C15: from Old French escuier, from Late Latin ��ū��ܲ� shield bearer, from Latin ��ū�ٳܳ� shield

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“This time it’s James Crow, esquire, and the Proud Boys. They are relentless. We need everybody on the battlefield for this one.”

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They couldn’t have possibly learned more than Stephen J. Urban, esquire pretender, did in a matter of days!

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Platters were heaped with food and carried in by pages and esquires.

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Mr Rees-Mogg, who was brought into government by the new prime minister this week, has also asked staff in his new office to use imperial measurements and refer to non-titled males as "esquire".

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A memo for employees in Jacob Rees-Mogg’s office directs them to avoid using words such as “very,” ”hopefully” and “got,” and to address men with the courtesy title “esquire.”

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