Squire Meaning
/ˈskwaɪə/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA shield-bearer or armor-bearer who attended a knight.
nounA title of dignity next in degree below knight, and above gentleman. See esquire.
Sentence Examples
Tom is a squire.
Some good news: it was the knight with his squire.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
In the castle, the knight's ____ helped him prepare for the battle.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In medieval times, a ____ was a young man who served a knight while training to become one.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English esquire, from Old French escuier, from Latin scūtārius (“shield-bearer”), from scūtum (“shield”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"A Squire he had, whose name was Ralph[.]"
— 1663, Samuel Butler, Hudibras, London, page 18:
"Third Suitor was Young Country Squire, well born,
Perſon indifferent, Cloaths (fondly worn)[.]"
— 1684, John Harington, The Grecian Story, London: William Crook, page 89:
"Sorry squire, I've had a look 'round the back of the shop, and uh, we're right out of parrots."
— 1969, Dead Parrot sketch, Monty Python's Flying Circus:
"[O]n ſome occaſions, he diſplayed all his fund of good humour, vvith a vievv to beguile her ſorrovv; he importuned her to give him the pleasure of ’ſquiring her to ſome place of innocent entertainment; and, finally, inſiſted upon her accepting a pecuniary reinforcement to her finances, vvhich he knevv to be in a moſt conſumptive condition."
— 1753, [Tobias Smollett], “Count Fathom Unmasks His Battery; is Repulsed; and Varies His Operations without Effect”, in The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom. […], volume II, London: […] W. Johnston, […], →OCLC, pages 107–108:
"Perceiving, however, that I had on my best wig, she offered, if I would ’squire her there, to send home the footman."
— 1759 October 23 (Gregorian calendar), [Oliver] Goldsmith, “On Dress”, in The Bee, a Select Collection of Essays, on the Most Interesting and Entertaining Subjects, […], new edition, London: […] W[illiam] Lane, […], published c. 1790, →OCLC:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
In the castle, the knight's ____ helped him prepare for the battle.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In medieval times, a ____ was a young man who served a knight while training to become one.