Esquire
[ɪ'skwaɪə;e-] or ['ɛskwaɪə]
Definition
(noun.) a title of respect for a member of the English gentry ranking just below a knight; placed after the name.
(noun.) (Middle Ages) an attendant and shield bearer to a knight; a candidate for knighthood.
Checker: Nathan--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) 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.
(v. t.) To wait on as an esquire or attendant in public; to attend.
Editor: Sheldon
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Squire.
Checker: Presley
Definition
n. (orig.) a squire or shield-bearer: an attendant on a knight: a landed proprietor: a title of dignity next below a knight: a title given to younger sons of noblemen &c.: a general title of respect in addressing letters.
Checked by Gardner
Examples
- Those menials having obeyed the mandate, Edward Dorrit, Esquire, proceeded. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Split the difference,' said Wilkins Flasher, Esquire. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Traddles, Esquire, of the Inner Temple. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Of course,' replied Wilkins Flasher, Esquire. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Copperfield, Esquire, and he believed it, and gave me the letter, which he said required an answer. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Wilfer, and John Rokesmith Esquire. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Shirley Keeldar, Esquire, ought to be my style and title. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Nicodemus Boffin, Esquire. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Since when was you no pardner of mine, Gaffer Hexam Esquire? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Be kind enough to address it to John Sedley, Esquire, and to seal this billet which I have written to his lady. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Kills himself, in fact,' said Wilkins Flasher, Esquire. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Steerforth, Esquire, debtor, to The Willing Mind”; that's not it. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- I am an esquire! Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- It informed me, First, That Frederick Fairlie, Esquire, of Limmeridge House. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- At length all was hushed, and WILKINS MICAWBER, ESQUIRE, presented himself to return thanks. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Behind them, but still upon the dais or elevated portion of the hall, stood the esquires of the Order, in white dresses of an inferior quality. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
Checked by Douglas