esquire

IPA/ɪˈskwaɪər/
KK[ˈɛskwˌaɪr]IPA/ˈe.skwaɪr/

esquire — noun

  • esquiresingular
  • esquiresplural

1. the written title Esquire, placed after a man's full name in an address line or

1.名詞B2
釋義

the written title Esquire, placed after a man's full name in an address line or other formal paperwork as a polite mark of respect.

例句

The club secretary addressed the envelope to Christopher Hale, Esquire.

Esquire placed after a man's full name in formal writing

On the printed guest list, Ramon Ortega appeared as Ramon Ortega, Esquire.

同義詞
  • Mr.

    a standard male title placed before a surname or full name, not after it

  • courtesy title

    a broad label for polite name markers, not this exact written form

文法句型

[full name], Esquire

[full name], Esq.

用法筆記

Mostly seen in formal written addresses and older-style correspondence. Unlike sense 2, this use does not tell you the person is a lawyer; it simply acts as a polite title after a man's full name.

常見錯誤

❌Esquire Christopher Hale
✅Christopher Hale, Esquire
💡In this use, the title follows the full name instead of coming before it.

2. the title Esquire, written after a lawyer's full name in formal legal writing to

2.名詞B2
釋義

the title Esquire, written after a lawyer's full name in formal legal writing to show that the person is a qualified lawyer, whether male or female.

例句

The letter from Salma Nouri, Esquire, explained the next court date.

Esquire after a lawyer's name in legal correspondence

Meera Patel, Esquire, signed the contract on behalf of her client.

lawyer title used after a full name

同義詞
  • attorney

    a common US job noun for a lawyer; unlike Esquire, it is not a title written after the name

  • lawyer

    the general profession word; Esquire is a formal written title linked to that profession

文法句型

[lawyer's full name], Esquire

[lawyer's full name], Esq.

用法筆記

Mostly used in American legal signatures, letters, and document headings, often as the abbreviation 'Esq.'. Unlike sense 1, this use identifies the person's profession and can follow the name of a female lawyer too.

常見錯誤

❌Esquire Salma Nouri wrote back.
✅Salma Nouri, Esquire, wrote back.
💡In this title use, Esquire follows the lawyer's full name instead of coming before it.

3. in medieval Europe, a young nobleman who served a knight, helped with equipment

3.名詞C1
釋義

in medieval Europe, a young nobleman who served a knight, helped with equipment and messages, and was training to become a knight himself.

例句

As a young esquire, Liam carried the knight's shield into battle.

historical role serving a knight before knighthood

At dawn, Min the esquire brushed the horses before the lord woke.

同義詞
  • squire

    a historical word often used for the same role, though it can sound slightly less formal

  • attendant

    a broader word for someone serving a higher-ranking person, without the training sense

文法句型

serve as an esquire

an esquire to a knight

用法筆記

This historical sense appears in writing about medieval Europe. Unlike senses 1 and 2, it behaves like an ordinary count noun, so you can say 'an esquire' or 'two esquires'.

常見錯誤

❌The esquire was already a knight.
✅The esquire was still training to become a knight.
💡An esquire served a knight but had not reached knighthood yet.