Esquire

A title applied by courtesy to officers of almost every description, to members of the bar, and others. No one is entitled to it by law, and therefore it confers no distinction in law. In England, it is a title next above that of a gentleman, and below that of a knight. Camden reckons up four kinds of esquires particularly regarded by the heralds: The eldest sons of knights, and their eldest sons in perpetual succession; the eldest sons of the younger sons of peers, and their eldest sons in like perpetual succession; esquires created by the king's letters patent, or other investiture, and their eldest sons; esquires by virtue of their office, as justices of the peace, and others who bear any office of trust under the crown. ESSARTER (Law Pr.) To cut down woods; to clear land of trees and underwood; properly to thin woods by cutting