squire

Everyday

1. (history) A young man training to be a knight, who served a knight and carried his shield and armour. tree →
2. (UK, old-fashioned) The main landowner in a village or country area. tree →
3. (UK, informal, old-fashioned) A friendly way a man may address another man: «All right, squire?». tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons on the Middle Ages, the path to knighthood was page (age 7), squire (about 14), then knight (about 21). In old English novels, the squire is the important gentleman of the village. In comic UK speech, a market trader might say «What can I get you, squire?». Phrases: «page, squire, knight», «the village squire», «the squire's manor».

Examples

• The squire polished his knight's armour. tree →
• At fourteen, a page could become a squire. tree →
• The squire lived in the big house at the end of the village. tree →
• «Cheers, squire!» said the man at the market stall. tree →
• A squire helped the knight get on his horse. tree →
• In the story, the squire and his dog went hunting. tree →
• ‘Where are you going?’ said the squire. tree →

Note

Countable. Old-fashioned word in all senses. Related: «esquire», «Esq.» (a polite title after a man's name in old letters). Order to knighthood: page → squire → knight.