Esquire
Defined in 8 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Black's (1891), Burrill (1850), Bouvier (1839)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
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
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
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
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Law Dictionary and Glossary
George C. Kinney · 1893
esquier. In English above gentleman, and iffs, Serjeants and others.
In old law. A knight's and bore his shield, or
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
In Englishlaw. A title of dignity next above gentleman, and below knight. Also a title of office given to sheriffs, serjeants, and barristers at law, justices of the peace, and cthers. 1 Bl. Comm. 406; 3 Steph. Comm. 15, note; Tomlins.
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary
Alexander M. Burrill · 1850
Esquier. [L. Fr. eseuier. from escu, a shield; L. Lat. scutifer, armi" ger,] A knight's attendant, who waited on him in time of war, and bore his shield, or armor. Spelman, voc. Armiger, A name or title of dignity in English law next above gentleman, and below knight. Also, a title of office g^iven to sheriffs, Serjeants and barristers at law, justices of the peace, and others. 1 BL Com. 406. 3 Chitt. BL Com. 28, note. 3 Steph. Com. 15, note. Tomlins, Esquires are first mentioned in the statutes 1 Ric. IL St. 2, c. 1, and 16 Ric. II, c. 4. 3 Beeves' Hist. Eng. Law, 172. See Armiger,
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
John Bouvier · 1839
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 a knight. Camden reckons up four kinds of esquires, particularly regarded by the heralds: 1. The eldest sons of knights and their eldest sons, in perpetual succession; 2, The eldest sons of the younger sons of peers, and their eldest sons in like perpetual succession; 3, Esquires created by the king’s letters-patent, or other investiture, and their eldest sons; 4, Esquires by virtue of their office, as justices of the peace, and others who bear any office of trust under the crown.: