esquire
esquire Lexical Profile
esquire Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A polite title appended to a person's name (typically abbreviated as Esq.), used in the United States primarily for licensed attorneys and in the United Kingdom as a formal courtesy title for men in written addresses.
"The legal contract was addressed to Sarah Jenkins, Esquire, at her downtown law firm."
In the Middle Ages, a young nobleman who acted as an attendant and shield-bearer to a knight while training for knighthood himself.
"Before earning his own spurs, the young esquire maintained the knight's armor and horses."
British Historically, a member of the English gentry ranking directly below a knight, or a landed proprietor holding an estate in the country.
"The local esquire oversaw the agricultural tenants across the parish estates."
• verb
To attend upon, escort, or wait on someone in the manner of a squire or gallant.
"He gallantly esquired the visiting dignitaries to their seats in the grand hall."
To address someone with the title of esquire (dated).
"The clerk carefully esquired every gentleman on the formal invitation list."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as a courtesy title (usually abbreviated as 'Esq.') after a person's full name, it replaces any preceding title such as 'Mr.', 'Ms.', or 'Dr.', which should never be used simultaneously.
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French 'esquier' (modern French 'écuyer'), from Late Latin 'scutarius' meaning 'shield-bearer', derived from Latin 'scutum' ('shield').