ENGLISH
REFERENCE

esquire

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈɛsˌkwaɪɹ// UK //ˈɛskwaɪə// es·quire Archaic

n. a title of respect that people sometimes put after a lawyer's name in writing. In the past, it was also used for men who owned land or worked for a knight.

n. a title of courtesy or respect, traditionally placed after a surname in written address. In modern American usage, it is almost exclusively reserved for licensed attorneys; historically, it denoted a member of the English gentry or an attendant to a knight.


SIMPLE

The letter was addressed to Jane Smith, Esquire.

CONTEXTUAL

When drafting the formal legal notice, the clerk made sure to append 'Esquire' to the names of all representing counsel.

Synonyms
Usage

Used as a post-nominal title (placed after the name); it is never used alongside other titles like 'Mr.' or 'Ms.'

Pitfall

Mr. John Doe, Esq.John Doe, Esq.The title is post-nominal and replaces social titles like Mr. or Ms. rather than being used with them.

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