ESQUIRE Meaning and
Definition
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Esquire is a term derived from the Old French "escuier" and has evolved over time to acquire multiple semantic nuances. It primarily refers to a title of respect and courtesy used to address a man with a legal profession, specifically a lawyer. In this context, it signifies that the individual is a barrister, attorney, or solicitor.
Beyond the legal sphere, esquire has also been employed as an honorary title, originally given to those of a higher social standing or knighthood. While historically it denoted a younger son of a nobleman, it later extended to other gentlemen who did not hold an occupational title but possessed a certain level of social status within their community.
Furthermore, esquire can function as a polite suffix after a person's name, often found in formal written communications. It is typically used in professional correspondence to indicate a respectful and courteous tone. In this context, it is intended to signify that the recipient holds a higher social status or professional position.
Esquire has also been used to indicate a connection to the British gentry or landed gentry class, which historically comprised individuals who owned significant amounts of land and held inherited titles or substantial wealth. However, in contemporary usage, the term may connote an emulation of traditional English manners and mores rather than direct membership within this upper-class stratum.
In summary, "esquire" encompasses a diverse range of connotations, encompassing historical and contemporary uses, predominantly associated with the field of law and varying levels of social standing and respect.
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A title of respect put after a name, usually given to any one occupying a respectable position in life; formerly an attendant on a knight; a name properly pert. to younger sons of noblemen, &c.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for ESQUIRE
Etymology of ESQUIRE
The word "esquire" originated from the Old French term "escuier", meaning "shield-bearer" or "squire". It is derived from the Latin word "scutarius", which also means "shield-bearer". Initially, "esquire" referred to a knight's attendant or a member of the landed gentry who ranked below a knight. Over time, its meaning evolved to denote a title for a gentleman below the rank of a knight, often used as a courtesy title for lawyers.
Similar spelling words for ESQUIRE
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