/es"kwuyeur, e skwuyeur"/ , n. , v. , esquired, esquiring .
n.
1. ( cap. ) an unofficial title of respect, having no precise significance, sometimes placed, esp. 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. Abbr.: 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).
v.t.
5. to raise to the rank of esquire.
6. to address as "Esquire."
7. to escort or attend in public.
[ 1425-75; late ME esquier escuier scutarius shield bearer, equiv. to scut ( um ) (see SCUTAGE) + -arius -ARY ]