1 esquire | Definition of esquire
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

esquire

noun
es·​quire | \ ˈe-ËŒskwÄ«(-É™)r How to pronounce esquire (audio) , i-ˈskwÄ«(-É™)r How to pronounce esquire (audio) \

Definition of esquire

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

First Known Use of esquire

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for esquire

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

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for esquire

esquire

noun
es·​quire | \ ˈes-ËŒkwÄ«r How to pronounce esquire (audio) \

Legal Definition of esquire

—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.

History and Etymology for esquire

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

More from Merriam-Webster on esquire

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with esquire

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about esquire

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!