/
ɪˈskwʌɪə,
ɛ-/
n.
-
(Esquire)
Brit. a polite title appended to a man's name when no other title is used, especially in a letter.
▸N. Amer. a title appended to a lawyer's surname.
- historical a young nobleman who, in training for knighthood, acted as an attendant to a knight.
▸an officer in the service of a king or nobleman.
▸a landed proprietor or country squire.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. esquier, from L. scutarius ‘shield-bearer’, from scutum ‘shield’.