esquire

noun

es·​quire ˈe-ˌskwī(-ə)r  i-ˈskwī(-ə)r 

1

: a member of the English gentry ranking below a knight

2

: a candidate for knighthood serving as shield bearer and attendant to a knight

3

—used as a title of courtesy often by attorneys usually placed in its abbreviated form after the surname

John R. Smith, Esq.

4

archaic : a landed proprietor

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

These men were called squires for most of the Middle Ages, but esquire began to appear in the 15th century. —Melissa Mohr, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 June 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French esquier squire, from Late Latin scutarius, from Latin scutum shield; akin to Old Irish sciath shield

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

esquire

noun

es·​quire ˈes-ˌkwī(ə)r  is-ˈ 

1

: a member of the English gentry ranking immediately below a knight

2

: one who wants to become a knight and who works as a servant to a knight

3

—used as a title of courtesy usually placed in its abbreviated form after the surname

John Smith, Esq.

Legal Definition

esquire

noun

es·​quire ˈes-ˌkwīr 

—used as a title of courtesy for lawyers usually placed in its abbreviated form after the name and capitalized

John R. Smith, Esq.

Jane L. Smith, Esq.

Etymology

Middle French escuier squire, from Late Latin scutarius shield bearer, from Latin scutum shield