squiren.
/skwʌɪə/ 1. † b. Placed after the surname as a designation of rank. Obsolete.Chiefly in formal documents.† d. In contemptuous use. Obsolete.Cf. trencher-squire n. at trencher n.1 Compounds 1a(b).† e. = apple-squire n. Obsolete.
a. In the military organization of the later middle ages, a young man of good birth attendant upon a knight (= esquire n.1 1a); one ranking next to a knight under the feudal system of military service and tenure.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > military servant > [noun]
knighta1100
squirec1290
page?a1400
custrona1425
varlet1470
custrel1474
esquire1477
servitora1513
valet1591
stokaghea1599
calo1617
bedet1633
Tartar1747
batman1755
goujat1776
waiter1828
striker1867
beltman1869
doggy1909
dingbat1918
batwoman1941
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > knight > squire > [noun]
squirec1290
damoiseau1477
esquire1477
donzel1592
α.
β. a1400 R. Gloucester's Chron. 3878 (Harl. 201) Boþe kynges and dukes, and erles echon, Barons and knyȝtes, squeers monyon.c1440 Ipomydon 320 And euery man sayd to other there, ‘Will ye se þe proude squeer, Shall serue my lady of þe wyne?’1474 in T. Dickson Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1877) I. 69 For certane expensis maid..vpon the squere, the were man of the King of Denmarkis.1490 Exch. Rolls Scotl. X. 663 Our traist and velebelovit cosingis and counsailouris, clerkis, and squearis.γ. 1452 W. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 149 He harde sey of j swyre of ij c. marc be ȝere þat [etc.].a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xiii. 191 Thei were wele armed, and hadde on hattes of stile as squyres vsed in tho dayes.1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry IV f. xviv Owen Glendor a squire of Wales, perceiuyng the realme to be vnquieted,..entised and allured the wilde and vndiscrite Welshmen.a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) i. i. 177 Goe, Faulconbridge,..A landlesse Knight, makes thee a landed Squire . View more context for this quotationa1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) ii. iii. 120 A Hilding for a Liuorie, a Squires Cloth, A Pantler. View more context for this quotation1682 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Rights Princes (new ed.) v. 147 Those of the better sort in the provinces, that were bound to come and serve as Auxiliary Troops, which was the Original of the Titles of Squires and Gentlemen.1788 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall VI. lviii. 65 Each knight was attended to the field by four squires or archers on horseback.1815 W. Scott Lord of Isles i. xxviii. 37 Where squire and yeoman, page and groom, Plied their loud revelry.1859 Ld. Tennyson Merlin & Vivien 322 in Idylls of King I once was looking for a magic weed, And found a fair young squire.c1290 Beket 2427 in S. Eng. Leg. 176 For-to honouri þis holi man þer cam folk i-novȝ;..Of Eorles and of barones and manie kniȝtes heom to; Of seriaunz and of squiers.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 7801 He let gadery is kniȝtes & is squiers al so.
13.. K. Alis. 6022 Theo kyngis ost..amounted fyve hundrod thousand Knyghtis.., withowte pages and skuyeris.
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 362 Fro þe hiȝest knyȝte..to þe lowest sqwyer þat by wai of office of his state beriþ þe swerde.
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 156 Swiers swemyle, swouned ladys.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 824 Knyȝteȝ & swyerez [MS reads swyereȝ] comen doun þenne.
1414 Rolls of Parl. IV. 58/2 The freest Knight or Squyer of the Rewme..may be put in prison.
c1425 Eng. Conq. Irel. (1896) 8 He hade purueied hym of xxxti knyghtes and lx skyers.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) xlii. sig. Hiiiv He was served rychely with many goodly squyers, who dyd nothing elles but..serued hym alwayes.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 296 The Lord James Audeley with the ayde of his foure squiers, fought alwayes in the chiefe of the battayle.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > title > title or form of address for persons of rank > [noun]
yea1225
my Lordc1300
seigniorc1330
squire1382
noblessec1390
lordship1394
grace1423
gentlenessc1425
magnificencec1425
noblenessc1425
greatness1473
worshipc1475
your mightinessa1500
excellency?1533
celsitude1535
altitude1543
Your Honour1551
sublimity1553
excellencea1592
captal1592
gentleperson1597
clemencya1600
gravity1618
grace1625
grandeur1632
eximiousness1648
professorship1656
prince1677
excellenceshipc1716
Graceship1804
seigniorship1823
valiancy1828
your seignorie1829
1382 in H. T. Riley Memorials London (1868) 456 [The said William Soys was attached to make answer to] Walter Begood, Squyer.
c1440 Brut ii. 370 To hym come Iohn Standisch, Squyer.
1450 in Catal. Anc. Deeds IV. 327 Comeng..to excuse hym opon a boke be for John Hudelston swier.
c1460 in A. Clark Eng. Reg. Oseney Abbey (1907) 138 Come John Wilcotys, squier, and all his tenauntes of þe Moore Barton.
1541 in F. Collins Wills & Admin. Knaresborough Court Rolls (1902) I. 81 Thomas Middleton, squier, and John Pullayne, gentleman, supervisors.
1586 Copy of Will of Richard Pultenham (Brasenose Coll. Oxf. Archives) (Hurst Cal. of Munim. 29, Unclassed Estates 7) Richard Pultenham Squier, prisoner in the King his Bench.
c. A personal attendant or servant; a follower. Also transferred.
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society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > attendant or personal servant > [noun]
thanea700
yeoman1345
squirec1380
foot followera1382
handservanta1382
servitora1382
ministera1384
servera1425
squire of (or for) the body (or household)1450
attender1461
waitera1483
awaiter1495
tender?a1505
waiting-man1518
satellite?1520
attendant1555
sitter-byc1555
pediseque1606
asseclist?1607
tendant1614
assecle1616
fewterera1625
escudero1631
peon1638
wait1652
under spur-leather1685
body servant1689
slavey1819
tindal1859
maid-attendant1896
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 148 Þei passen grete men in here gaye pellure..& tatrid squeyeres & oþere meyne.
c1386 G. Chaucer Summoner's Tale 535 Now stood the lordes squier at the bord, That carf his mete.
a1425 Edward, Duke of York Master of Game (Digby) ii Somtyme a gret hert hath an other felawe, þat is called his squyer.
1531 St. German's Secunde Dyaloge Doctour & Student (new ed.) xlii. f. cvi The same is to be holden of a Captayne, that he shall be bounde for the offence of hys squyers.
1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes i. 104 They boorded the Pagans ship all three together, leaving their Squires in guard of their bark.
1831 T. B. Macaulay Johnson in Biogr. (1860) 122 Boswell importuned him to attempt the adventure and offered to be his squire.
1835 W. Irving Tour on Prairies 35 He must have the young Osage as a companion and squire in his expedition into the wilderness.
1886 J. Ruskin Præterita II. vi. 192 At Oxford, where it was thought becoming in a gentleman-commoner to have a squire to manage his scout.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > [noun]
esnec950
hindc1230
servant1340
servitor1419
ministrer?a1425
servera1425
myrona1450
obeisantc1475
servient1541
lout1567
squire1570
roguea1616
administer1677
minion1820
ancillary1867
sweater1900
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > one who is unimportant > low or subordinate
squire1570
tail1604
monkey1957
1570 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandry (new ed.) f. 11v Get trustye to serue them, not lubberly squire, that loueth all day to hang nose ouer fire.
1596 T. Nashe Haue with you to Saffron-Walden sig. H2 O scabbed scald squire (Scythian Gabriell) as thou art.
a1618 J. Sylvester Tobacco Battered 20 in Wks. (1880) II. 267 Indian Tobacco, when due cause requires; Not the dry Dropsie, of Phantastick Squires.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > prostitution > [noun] > pimping or procuring > procurer of either sex > pimp
putourc1390
panderc1450
mitchera1500
apple-squire?1536
squire of dames or ladies1590
apron-squire1593
bed-broker1594
pimp1600
pippin squire1600
petticoat-monger1605
smockster1608
underputter1608
broker-between1609
squire of the placket1611
squire1612
fleshmongera1616
cock bawd1632
whiskin1632
pimp-whiskin1638
bully1675
foot pimp1690
mutton-broker1694
pimp whisk1707
flash-man1789
panderer1826
bludger1856
whoremaster1864
mack1894
lover1904
jelly bean1905
procureur1910
P.I.1928
sweetback1929
sweet man1942
nookie-bookie1943
papasan1970
1612 B. Jonson Alchemist Prol. sig. A4v No Clime breedes better matter, for your Whore, Baud, Squire, Impostor,..Whose manners..feede the Stage. View more context for this quotation
1617 T. Middleton & W. Rowley Faire Quarrell (new ed.) iv. following sig. H*3v When thou art dead, may twenty whores follow thee, that thou maist goe a Squire to thy graue.
1622 N. Breton Strange Newes in Wks. (1879) II. 6/2 Other kinde of close mates there are,..and they are called Squiers, but they are onely of the order of the Apple.
2. Applied to personages of ancient history or mythology regarded as holding a position or rank similar to that of the medieval squire.Frequently, esp. in or after Biblical use, with the literal sense ‘shield-bearer’ or ‘armour-bearer’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measuring instrument > [noun] > for measuring angles > right angles
squarea1300
squire1382
rectangulometer1847
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > knight > squire > [noun] > in ancient history or mythology
squire1382
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 1 Chron. x. 4 And Saul seyde to his squyer, Drawȝe out thi swerd.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7717 Þe squier hight abysai, þat to þe tent com wit daui.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6279 King ne knight, suier ne suain, O þam come neuer a fote again.
c1450 Mirour Saluacioun (Roxb.) 132 Abymalech..saide thus til his sqwyere..out with thi swerde quod he and slee me hastily.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 65 b/2 And his squyer wente to for hym & cryde ayenst them of Israhel.
1509 J. Fisher Serm. Henry VIJ (de Worde) sig. Aviiiv A squyer also of kynge Saul whan he sawe his lorde & mayster deed..slewe hym selfe.
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 24 Then the squyre emboldned dreadles thus coyned an aunswer.
1692 tr. C. de Saint-Évremond Misc. Ess. 359 Except Ajax,..there was no considerable Warriour, that had not his God upon his Chariot, as well as his Squire. The God to conduct his Spear, the Squire for the management of his Horses.
1702 C. Beaumont J. Beaumont's Psyche (new ed.) xx. lxxxi. 302 Bacchus's wrangling Squires, whose strange Contest Was, who should prove the best at being Beast.
1720 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad V. xx. 565 The Squire who saw expiring on the Ground His prostrate Master.
3. † a. squire of (or for) the body (or household)), an officer charged with personal attendance upon a sovereign, nobleman, or other high dignitary. Obsolete. Cf. esquire n.1 1c.Used jestingly by Shakespeare 1 Henry IV. i. ii. 24.figurative and in extended use.1649 T. Fuller Just Mans Funeral 17 A guiltie conscience, that Squire of the bodie, alwayes officious to attend a malefactour.1665 R. Head Eng. Rogue I. sig. D7v From what dung-hill didst thou pick up this Shakerag, this squire of the body?
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > attendant or personal servant > [noun]
thanea700
yeoman1345
squirec1380
foot followera1382
handservanta1382
servitora1382
ministera1384
servera1425
squire of (or for) the body (or household)1450
attender1461
waitera1483
awaiter1495
tender?a1505
waiting-man1518
satellite?1520
attendant1555
sitter-byc1555
pediseque1606
asseclist?1607
tendant1614
assecle1616
fewterera1625
escudero1631
peon1638
wait1652
under spur-leather1685
body servant1689
slavey1819
tindal1859
maid-attendant1896
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > attendant or personal servant > [noun] > male attendant of specific rank
yeoman1345
pagec1385
squire of (or for) the body (or household)1450
1450 Rolls of Parl. V. 190/1 John Hampton Squier for oure body.
1477 Exch. Rolls Scotl. IX. 101 (note) Our lovit familiare squear of houshald Johne of Ballone.
1536 MS Rawl. D. 780 f. 58 b A new kay for the squyers of the bodys chambre.
1642 J. Milton Apol. Smectymnuus 28 Some Squire of the body to his Prelat, one that serves not at the Altar only, but at the Court cup board.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) at Armiger A Title of Dignity, properly an Armour-bearer to a Knight, an Esquire, a Squire of the Body.
1825 W. Scott Betrothed ii, in Tales Crusaders I. 20 Two squires of his body, who dedicated their whole attention to his service, stood at the Prince's back.
b. transferred. In various humorous or jocular phrases. †squire of the gimlet, a tapster. squire of the pad: see pad n.3 1c. †squire of the placket, a pimp. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > providing or serving drink > [noun] > serving liquor > tapster or barmaid
tapsterc1000
drawer1379
wine-drawer1415
birlerc1440
shenkerc1440
trayer1473
tranter1500
skinker1575
lick-spigot1599
shot-shark1600
runner1601
skink1603
Hebe1606
Ganymede1608
squire of the gimlet1611
skinkard1615
bombard-man1616
bar-boy1631
faucet1631
tapstress1631
potman1652
barmaida1658
pot-boyc1662
tavern-drawer1709
tavern-boy1796
pot-girl1797
tap-boy1801
knight of the spigot1821
pewter-carrier1834
bartender1836
tap-waiter1836
barman1837
beer-boy1841
mixologist1856
bar-girl1857
mixer1858
gin slinger1871
swamper1907
tap-man1907
pot-woman1918
bar-staff1965
bar-person1976
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > prostitution > [noun] > pimping or procuring > procurer of either sex > pimp
putourc1390
panderc1450
mitchera1500
apple-squire?1536
squire of dames or ladies1590
apron-squire1593
bed-broker1594
pimp1600
pippin squire1600
petticoat-monger1605
smockster1608
underputter1608
broker-between1609
squire of the placket1611
squire1612
fleshmongera1616
cock bawd1632
whiskin1632
pimp-whiskin1638
bully1675
foot pimp1690
mutton-broker1694
pimp whisk1707
flash-man1789
panderer1826
bludger1856
whoremaster1864
mack1894
lover1904
jelly bean1905
procureur1910
P.I.1928
sweetback1929
sweet man1942
nookie-bookie1943
papasan1970
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Escuyer trenchant, a caruer, or squire of the mouth.
1636 W. Davenant Witts ii. i. sig. Ev Squires of the placket, wee know you thinke us.
1679 T. Jordan London in Luster 20 And a Drawer that Hath a good Pallat Shall be made Squire of the Gimlet.
a1721 M. Prior Thief & Cordelier ii There the 'Squire of the Pad, and the Knight of the Post, Find their Pains no more balk'd, and their Hopes no more crost.
4.
a. A man, esp. a young man, who attends upon, accompanies, or escorts a lady; a gallant or lover.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > courtship or wooing > [noun] > one who courts or woos
wooerc1000
company-keeper1554
suitor?1555
love-maker1581
squire1590
courter1611
chevalier1630
Protestant1648
suitorer1688
cavalier1752
courtier1766
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. i. sig. N2 Archimago..Eke himselfe had craftily deuisd To be her Squire, and do her seruice well aguisd.
a1625 J. Fletcher Wife for Moneth i. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ggggggv/1 Has your young sanctity done railing, Madam, Against your innocent Squire?
1648 J. Beaumont Psyche xviii. xli. 350 Is not brave Phylax forc'd to be her squire, And dance attendance upon her desire?
1665 C. Cotton Scarronnides 45 Turning straight his eyes to Tyre, To look for Dido, and her squire.
1676 W. Wycherley Plain-dealer ii. E iv b You are to pretend only to be her Squire, to arm her to her Lawyers Chambers.
b. squire of dames or ladies, one who devotes himself to the service of ladies or pays marked attentions to them. †Also allusively, a pimp or pander.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > courtship or wooing > [noun] > one devoted to the service of ladies
squire of dames or ladies1590
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > prostitution > [noun] > pimping or procuring > procurer of either sex > pimp
putourc1390
panderc1450
mitchera1500
apple-squire?1536
squire of dames or ladies1590
apron-squire1593
bed-broker1594
pimp1600
pippin squire1600
petticoat-monger1605
smockster1608
underputter1608
broker-between1609
squire of the placket1611
squire1612
fleshmongera1616
cock bawd1632
whiskin1632
pimp-whiskin1638
bully1675
foot pimp1690
mutton-broker1694
pimp whisk1707
flash-man1789
panderer1826
bludger1856
whoremaster1864
mack1894
lover1904
jelly bean1905
procureur1910
P.I.1928
sweetback1929
sweet man1942
nookie-bookie1943
papasan1970
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. vii. sig. Ii7v As for my name, it mistreth not to tell; Call me the Squyre of Dames that me beseemeth well.
a1625 J. Fletcher Monsieur Thomas (1639) i. i. sig. B2 Val. What, the old squire of dames still? Hyl. Still the admirer of their goodnesse.
1632 P. Massinger Emperour of East i. ii. sig. C3v You are The Squire of Dames, deuoted to the seruice Of gamesome Ladies,..their close bawde.
a1640 P. Massinger Parl. of Love (1976) iv. iii. 39 And how, my honest squire of the dames?
1886 Illustr. London News 9 Jan. 31/2 Such attentions as would have been considered marked even in a ‘Squire of ladies’.
1900 R. H. Savage Brought to Bay vi. 105 It was no light-minded squire of dames who sat alone in the smoking-room.
5.
a. Employed as a title and prefixed to the surname of a country gentleman, frequently forming part of his customary appellation. Now chiefly colloquial.Originally applied to those having the rank of a squire in sense 1: (cf. 1b).
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > title > title or form of address for persons of rank > [noun] > for gentleman
masterlOE
Danc1330
gentleman1416
denc1425
mastership1438
mister1523
maship1526
mast?1548
esquire1552
masterdom1575
squire1645
gentlemanship1653
Mus'1875
1645 R. Symonds Diary (1859) 169 The King lay at Bisbury,..where Squire Gravenor (as they call him) lives.
1669 W. Simpson Hydrologia Chymica 363 That great naturalist, Squire Boyl.
1712 E. Cooke Voy. S. Sea 456 The principal Officers of the three Ships went ashore with 'Squire Hollidge.
1765 S. Foote Commissary i. 14 Our 'Squire Wou'd-be is violently bent upon matrimony.
a1796 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 192 Squire Pope but busks his skinklin patches O' Heathen tatters.
1812 G. Crabbe Tales xii. 211 'Squire Thomas flatter'd long a wealthy Aunt.
1857 T. Hughes Tom Brown's School Days i. i. 19 Here..lived and stopped at home, Squire Brown, J. P. for the County of Berks.
1882 Pall Mall Gaz. 15 July 6/1 The waggonette of Squire Calthorpe..is driven up, bearing his squireship's butler, gardener, and groom.
b. A country gentleman or landed proprietor, esp. one who is the principal landowner in a village or district.broom-squire: see broom-squire n. at broom n. Compounds 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > aristocracy or upper class > gentry > [noun] > squire or laird
lairdc1379
esquire1600
squire1676
squirearch1832
squiralty1886
γ.
δ. 1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 112. ¶7 The Parson is always preaching at the 'Squire, and the 'Squire..never comes to Church.1750 C. Talbot Rambler No. 30. 164 I was looked upon in every country parish as a kind of social bond between the 'squire, the parson, and the tenants.1783 G. Crabbe Village ii. 29 Hear too the 'Squire, or 'squire-like farmer, talk.1826 in Sheridaniana 331 Sheridan was once on a visit to a great Norfolk 'Squire.1841 E. Miall in Nonconformist 1 242 Little ignorant puffy 'squires propose to blow themselves out to these dimensions.1676 W. Wycherley Plain-dealer Dramatis Pers. Jerry-Blackacre, a true raw Squire under Age,..bred to the Law.
1718 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 7 Sept. (1965) I. 444 I think the honest English Squire more happy who verily beleives the Greek wines less delicious than March beer.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker I. 17 And in the mean time I hobbled after the squire.
1817 W. Scott Rob Roy II. i. 5 A bet or two..placed me on an easy and familiar footing with all the young squires except Thorncliff.
1855 Poultry Chron. 2 281/2 It was unanimously decided that ‘the squire’, who also was member for the borough, should be asked to act as patron.
1875 W. S. Hayward Love against World 2 The old squire held his head high among the aristocracy of the county.
c. In various slang uses (see quots.).
ΚΠ
1688 Shadwell (title) The Squire of Alsatia.]
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Squire of Alsatia, a Man of Fortune, drawn in..and ruin'd by a pack of poor,..spunging, bold Fellows that liv'd..in White-Fryers.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew The Squire, a Sir Timothy Treat-all; also, a Sap-pate... A fat Squire, a rich Fool.
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue Squire of Alsatia, a weak profligate spendthrift; squire of the company, one who pays the whole reckoning, or treats the company, called standing squire.
1834 W. H. Ainsworth Rookwood III. iv. ii. 249 I must insist upon standing Squire [later edd. Sam] upon the present occasion.
d. As a term of polite address to a gentleman not formally a squire. More recently, a jocular or familiar address to another man, not necessarily of different status.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous forms of address or title > [noun] > for a man
liefc907
goodmanOE
beausirec1300
sir1320
lede1377
fatherhood1461
gallant1488
fatherhead?a1500
Mr?a1640
gallantissimoa1681
mister1734
massa1766
sieur1772
stira1796
master1798
zurr1803
sieur1812
squire1828
guv'nor1843
Mistah1853
sor1891
suh1894
1828 J. F. Cooper Notions Amer. I. 102 His usual address is ‘friend’, or sometimes he contemplates a stranger of a gentlemanly appearance, with the title of ‘squire’.
1865 A. Trollope Can you forgive Her? II. i. 6 ‘Well, Squire,’ said Scruby, ‘how is it to be?’
1959 C. MacInnes Absolute Beginners 68 Hail, squire... Long time no see.
1962 C. Watson Hopjoy was Here x. 111 You see, squire, it's reasonable.
1968 Listener 22 Feb. 255/3 At a garage in Paddington I overheard a very sleek young man..ask the attendant to ‘fill both tanks up’. ‘Blimey, squire,’ was the reply, ‘you going all the way to Marble Arch?’
1977 N. J. Crisp Odd Job Man i. 6 ‘Good-night then, squire,’ he said, to the barman.
1982 Times 15 May 14/6 (caption) Tell you what, squire—keep the pension and I'll take the cash!
6. U.S. A Justice of the Peace; also, a lawyer or judge. Also, applied more widely to any local dignitary.
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society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > judge > [noun]
demec825
doomerc888
deemerc950
demendOE
doomsmana1200
dempstera1300
trierc1330
judgec1384
dooma1400
judge manc1410
knower?c1425
doomsterc1450
jurist1481
righter1566
tribune1587
syndicator1610
deemster1795
squire1817
judge-carl1818
society > authority > office > holder of office > magistrate > [noun] > magistrate or local dignitary in U.S.
squire1817
society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > [noun] > Justice of the peace or district magistrate > colonial and U.S.
peacemaker1683
field-cornet1800
veld-cornet1802
squire1817
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > [noun] > elevated rank > any local dignitary
squire1817
1817 J. Bradbury Trav. Amer. 320 He is not in the least danger of receiving a rude or uncivil answer, even if he should address himself to a squire (so justices are called).
1822 J. Flint Lett. from Amer. 143 Squire, the appellation designating a Justice of the Peace, or Magistrate, is commonly retained for life, although out of office.
1848 Knickerbocker 18 379 Every body is a squire in these days.
1859 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (ed. 2) 442 Squire, the title of magistrates and lawyers. In New England it is given particularly to justices of the peace and judges. In Pennsylvania, to justices of the peace only.
1873 ‘M. Twain’ & C. D. Warner Gilded Age 17 ‘Squire’ Hawkins got his title from being post~master of Obedstown.
1935 H. W. Horwill Dict. Mod. Amer. Usage 301/1 In Am. the squire is primarily a justice of the peace, but the name is loosely given, most commonly as a title, to any prominent resident in a village.
1948 W. Faulkner Intruder in Dust ii. 34 He had already telephoned Squire Fraser.
7. Australian. (See quot. 1883.)
ΚΠ
1874 in Tenison-Woods Fishes New S. Wales (1882) 41 The usual method of estimating quantity for sale by the fisherman is, as the schnapper or count-fish, the school-fish, and squire.
1883 E. P. Ramsay Food Fishes New S. Wales 10 The carnivorous Sparidæ include the Schnapper, Pagrus unicolor, the immature young of which are known respectively as the ‘squire’ and red bream.
Compounds
attributive and in other combinations.
a. Appositive, in early use chiefly in senses related to 3a, as squire beadle (see beadle n. 3), squire carver, squire fruiterer, squire priest, squire saddler; from the 19th cent. in sense 5b, as squire-farmer, squire-parson, squire-priest.
ΚΠ
(a)
(b)1849 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis (1850) I. xxvi. 256 The wine-merchants',..solicitors', squire-farmers' daughters.1863 A. Blomfield Mem. Bp. Blomfield I. iv. 104 The treatment of the mere curate,..and of the independent squire-parson of good family.1888 E. Dowden Transcripts 189 The Chartist-peer, the lord-loving democrat, the squire-priest.1601 F. Tate Househ. Ord. Edward II (1876) 13 The squire fruiterer shal receve electuaries, confections, and other spiceries.
1615 Caution-Book of Balliol Coll. (MS.) f. 11, I John Bell in the University of Oxon Squirebedle.
1618 A. Munday Stow's Suruay of London (new ed.) 184 M. Thomas Cure, Sadler, and Squire Sadler to Queene Elizabeth.
1643 E. Bowles Plaine Eng. 14 They..have..made good Squire Priests prophesie.
1686 tr. J. Chardin Trav. Persia 227 From whence other Officers carry'd em [sc. dishes] before the Squire-carvers.
b. Miscellaneous.† squire-hart n. Obsolete (see quot. 1607 and sense 1c).
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the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > male > [noun] > that follows another
squire-hart1607
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 135 Vntill he see..the great Hart..and his little squier-hart to attend him.
squire-errant n. a squire who acts like a knight-errant; hence squire-errant vb., squire-errantry.
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society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > knight > squire > [noun] > who acts like a knight errant
squire-errant1734
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > knight > squire > [noun] > who acts like a knight errant > behaviour of
squire-errantry1734
1734 H. Fielding Don Quixote in Eng. ii. i. 20 The extreme Difficulties..of Knight-Errantry..and of 'Squire-errantry.
1734 H. Fielding Don Quixote in Eng. ii. vi. 31 I hate your Squire-Errants that carry Arms about them.
1734 H. Fielding Don Quixote in Eng. iii. ix. 53 Ah, Sir, I have been a Squire-Erranting to some purpose.
squire-trap n. a soft spot or piece of ground into which one may sink while riding after hounds.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > landscape > marsh, bog, or swamp > [noun] > wet place, mire, or slough
sloughc900
mooreOE
letch1138
mire1219
sougha1300
dew1377
slop?a1400
flashc1440
slothc1440
slonk1488
slot?a1500
rilling1610
slab1610
water-gall1657
slunkc1700
slack1719
mudhole1721
bog-hole1788
spew1794
wetness1805
stabble1821
slob1836
sludge1839
soak1839
mudbath1856
squire-trap1859
loblolly1865
glue-pot1892
swelter1894
poaching1920
1859 G. A. Lawrence Sword & Gown ii. 14 Old Heathfield, who, when he is up to his girths in a squire-trap, never halloas ‘ware bog’, till five or six more are in it.
1861 G. J. Whyte-Melville Market Harborough 88 Miss Dove was fast luring him into a country which..was very cramped and blind, full of ‘doubles’, ‘squire-traps’, and other pit-falls for the unwary.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
squirev.
/skwʌɪə/ 1. transitive. Of a man: To attend (a lady) as, or after the manner of, a squire; to accompany, conduct, or serve as escort to; to escort. (Frequently in the 17th and 18th centuries. Now more frequently in U.S. use.)in extended use.1686 J. Goad Astro-meteorologica iii. iii. 456 That [star] of 1365..was squired in by a Comet.in extended use.1801 A. E. Bray Jrnl. in Descr. Part Devonshire (1836) I. xii. 214 Some ladies, who are not afraid of singularity, will occasionally squire one another, when they are in want of a beau.1896 Westm. Gaz. 28 Apr. 5/2 Sir Richard Webster, squired by Mr. Cuffe and Mr. Angus Lewis, made his appearance also in good time.† c. transferred. To act or serve as an escort or guard to; to convoy. Obsolete.
a. With adverbs and prepositions.
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society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > show (the way) [verb (transitive)] > escort a lady
squirec1386
man1567
convoy1578
esquire1786
beau1843
cavalier1863
c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Prol. 305 And for he squiereth me bothe vp and doun, Yet hastow caught a fals suspecioun.
1588 E. D. tr. Theocritus XIth Idyl A 4 When I as Vsher, squirde you [i.e. Galatea] all the waie.
1606 T. Dekker Seuen Deadly Sinnes London iii. sig. D3v Hee walkes vp and downe the streetes squiring old Midwiues to anie house.
1668 T. Shadwell Sullen Lovers v. 77 Will you please to Squire me along?
1711 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 1 Oct. (1948) II. 374 I squired his lady out of her chaise to-day, and must visit her in a day or two.
1751 E. Haywood Hist. Betsy Thoughtless I. vi. 56 She..suffered herself to be..squir'd about to all public places, either by the rake, the man of honour, the wit, or the fool.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth I. iv. 77 Manhood enough to squire a proud dame-citizen to the lecture at Saint Antonie's.
1856 C. Dickens Little Dorrit (1857) ii. vi. 373 Mr. Sparkler humbly offered his arm. Miss Fanny accepting it, was squired up the great staircase.
1866 R. Chambers Ess. 2nd Ser. 93 He was..fond of..visits from ladies, whom..he would squire about his garden.
1901 G. B. Shaw Caesar & Cleopatra iii, in Three Plays for Puritans 148 Ftatateeta comes to her. Apollonius offers to squire them into the palace.
1949 N. Mitford Love in Cold Climate i. ix. 97 Squiring royal old ladies to the supper-room.
1967 Boston Herald 1 Apr. 20/5 You will squire Machree wherever she wants to go.
1977 I. Shaw Beggarman, Thief iii. x. 334 The sight of his mother..being squired..off the plane by a man who seemed not much older than himself had disturbed him.
b. Without const.
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society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > show (the way) [verb (transitive)] > accompany as a guide > accompany or attend as companion
to go with ——c1330
convoyc1405
to wait on or upon ——1450
squire1530
to wait of ——?1551
escort1746
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 731 I squier, I wayte upon, je baille attendance.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 731 Is he your servant, he can squyre you as well as ever you were in your lyfe.
1600 B. Jonson Every Man out of his Humor Dram. Pers. sig. Aiv Shift... His cheef exercises are taking the Whiffe, squiring a Cocatrice.
1639 J. Mayne Citye Match ii. vi A Gentleman of valour who has been In Moore-fields often..to squire his sisters.
a1692 T. Shadwell Volunteers (1693) ii. i. 20 Pray if you see my Daughter, do you Squire her.
1731 J. Swift To Gay in Wks. (1735) II. 418 To squire a Royal Girl of two Years old.
1751 T. Smollett Peregrine Pickle III. lxxxvii. 60 Not a lady of fashion in the kingdom..scrupled..to be squired by him.
a1805 A. Carlyle Autobiogr. (1860) iv. 187 Lady Catherine Lyon, whom I squired that night, and with whom I danced.
1855 C. Kingsley Westward Ho! xii ‘Escort me, sir.’ ‘It is but too great an honour to squire the Queen of Bideford,’ said Cary, offering his hand.
1887 T. A. Trollope What I Remember I. xii. 254 I have since squired many fairer and younger dames.
1962 D. Lessing Golden Notebk. i. 120 That second night of dancing she was squired by Stanley while her husband drank in the bar until it closed.
1977 Time 31 Jan. 31/1 At least one of Carter's aides turned up: Pollster Pat Caddell, who squired Hugh Hefner's daughter Christie.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > courtship or wooing > court or woo [verb (transitive)] > make or have a date with > act as escort
man1567
squirea1578
convoy1578
gallant1690
esquire1786
cavalier1863
a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) I. 366 The king of France..gart..prepair schips and gallayis..to squyre the king of Scottland his sone and his douchter throw the sie.
1599 T. Nashe Lenten Stuffe 33 Robin hoode and little Iohn..are industrious and carefull to squire and safe conduct him in.
1632 P. Holland tr. Xenophon Cyrupædia 175 To imagine that we ought to entertaine others for the guard and safetie of our persons, and be not a guard to squire and defend ourselves.
2. intransitive. With it: To act as a squire; to play the squire; to rule or domineer over as a country squire.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > rule or government > oppression > oppress [verb (intransitive)] > domineer
lord1548
to play rex1556
lord1563
to play the rex1570
domineer1591
seniorize1593
lady1600
squire1672
prime1756
rough-ride1835
imperialize1843
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > aristocracy or upper class > gentry > [verb (intransitive)] > play the squire
squire1672
1672 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd i. 69 It were a wild thing for me to Squire it after this Knight.
1739 ‘R. Bull’ tr. F. Dedekind Grobianus 91 Survey the Great, in City, Town, or Court, Who 'squire or lord it o'er the meaner Sort.
3. transitive. To entitle or call ‘Squire’ or ‘Esquire’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous forms of address or title > address with courteous title [verb (transitive)] > address a man
sir1576
mister1742
squire1832
good man1846
1832 Ld. Tennyson Let. 20 Nov. (1982) I. 84 The titlepage may be simply Poems By Alfred Tennyson (don't let the printers squire me).
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1915; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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