esquire

[ es-kwahyuhr, e-skwahyuhr ]

noun

1. (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.
2. squire ( def 2 ).
3. a man belonging to the order of English gentry ranking next below a knight.
4. Archaic. squire ( def 1 ).

verb (used with object)

, es·quired, es·quir·ing.

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

esquire

/ ɪˈskwaɪə /

noun

1. a title of respect, usually abbreviated Esq, placed after a man's name
2. (in medieval times) the attendant and shield bearer of a knight, subsequently often knighted himself
3. rare.
   a male escort

Word History and Origins

Origin of esquire¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of esquire¹

C15: from Old French escuier, from Late Latin scūtārius shield bearer, from Latin scūtum shield

Example Sentences

Esquire magazine, in 1960, listed him as one of the best-dressed men in America, along with Clark Gable, Fred Astaire and Cary Grant.

From Los Angeles Times

Lineker told Esquire magazine in an interview published earlier this month that he accepted he will "have to slow down at some point".

From BBC

Lineker, 63, told Esquire magazine in an interview published earlier this month that he accepted he will "have to slow down at some point".

From BBC

A prolific and respected celebrity biographer, Zehme regularly penned celebrity profiles for Esquire, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone and Playboy.

From Los Angeles Times

She left a lasting impression as one of the beautiful “swans,” society women who were betrayed by Truman Capote when he exposed their secrets in his Esquire article “La Côte Basque 1965.”

From Los Angeles Times