esquire

Everyday

1. A polite title written after a man's name in old letters and on envelopes, shortened to «Esq.»: John Smith, Esq. tree →
2. In history, a young man of good family who served a knight and carried his shield; a squire. tree →
3. (USA) A title used after the names of lawyers. tree →

In the lessons

Found in old books, letters and legal writing. On an envelope it shows respect for a gentleman. In Alice in Wonderland Alice, grown so tall her feet are far away, jokes about sending them a present addressed «Alice's Right Foot, Esq., Hearthrug, near the Fender» — a joke on grand letter addresses. In history lessons about knights, an esquire (squire) was a knight's helper on the way to becoming a knight.

Examples

• The letter was addressed to «Thomas Brown, Esq.» tree →
• In the Middle Ages, an esquire carried the knight's shield. tree →
• The young esquire hoped to become a knight one day. tree →
• Old letters often wrote «Esq.» after a gentleman's name. tree →
• In the USA some lawyers write «Esq.» after their names. tree →
• The esquire helped his knight put on his armour. tree →

Note

Shortened to «Esq.» with a capital E. You use «Esq.» instead of «Mr», never both: «Mr John Smith» or «John Smith, Esq.» Old-fashioned today in Britain. Same word as «squire».