noun
Uncommon
squire
SKWEYE-uh
Squire (noun) means Historically, a young nobleman who served and assisted a knight. Example: “The squire polished his knight's armour before the tournament.”
noun
1
Historically, a young nobleman who served and assisted a knight.
"The squire polished his knight's armour before the tournament."
2
Historically in England, a country gentleman or landowner, especially one owning the main estate in a village.
"The local squire owned most of the farmland in the parish."
verb
1
To escort or accompany someone, especially as a gentlemanly attendant.
"He squired her to the ball and back."
How to use squire
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA knight's young attendant, or an English country landowner — or, as a verb, to escort someone.
When to use it
Mostly historical or used humorously/formally today ("the local squire").
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Word forms
- Plural
- squires
- Third person singular
- squires
- Past tense
- squired
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ polished his knight's armour before the tournament.
Etymology
From Old French escuier ("shield-bearer"), from Latin scutum, meaning "shield." A shortened form of esquire.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for squire
See all rhymes for squire →Frequently asked questions
What does “squire” mean?
The word “squire” means historically, a young nobleman who served and assisted a knight. In plain terms, a knight's young attendant, or an English country landowner — or, as a verb, to escort someone.
How do you pronounce “squire”?
“Squire” is pronounced SKWEYE-uh (/ˈskwaɪɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “squire” in a sentence?
Here is “squire” used in a sentence: “The squire polished his knight's armour before the tournament.”
What part of speech is “squire”?
Depending on how it is used, “squire” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “squire” come from?
The word “squire” comes from Latin. From Old French escuier ("shield-bearer"), from Latin scutum, meaning "shield." A shortened form of esquire.
Is “squire” a common word?
“Squire” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “squire” have?
“Squire” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: historically, a young nobleman who served and assisted a knight.
