Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Esquire"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Esquire \Es*quire"\, n. [OF. escuyer, escuier, properly, a
shield-bearer, F. ['e]cuyer shield-bearer, armor-bearer,
squire of a knight, esquire, equerry, rider, horseman, LL.
scutarius shield-bearer, fr. L. scutum shield, akin to Gr. ?
skin, hide, from a root meaning to cover; prob. akin to E.
hide to cover. See {Hide} to cover, and cf. {Equerry},
{Escutcheon}.]
Originally, a shield-bearer or armor-bearer, an attendant on
a knight; in modern times, a title of dignity next in degree
below knight and above gentleman; also, a title of office and
courtesy; -- often shortened to squire.
Note: In England, the title of esquire belongs by right of
birth to the eldest sons of knights and their eldest
sons in perpetual succession; to the eldest sons of
younger sons of peers and their eldest sons in
perpetual succession. It is also given to sheriffs, to
justices of the peace while in commission, to those who
bear special office in the royal household, to
counselors at law, bachelors of divinity, law, or
physic, and to others. In the United States the title
is commonly given in courtesy to lawyers and justices
of the peace, and is often used in the superscription
of letters instead of Mr.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Esquire \Es*quire"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Esquired}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Esquiring}.]
To wait on as an esquire or attendant in public; to attend.
[Colloq.]
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
esquire
n 1: (in medieval England) an attendant and shield bearer to a
knight; a candidate for knighthood
2: (British) a title of respect for a member of the English
gentry ranking just below a knight; placed after the name
[syn: {Esquire}, {Esq}]
v : accompany as an escort [syn: {escort}]
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