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"Esquire" is not a title of nobility in America"

Esq. "British. Latterly borrowed in U.S. Esquire.

Esquire. "British. A title after a mans name, a squire, or aspirant to knighthood. Aspirant. "A person who aspires; one who seeks advancement, honors, high position, etc."

Knighthood. "The rank or dignity of a knight."

Knight "A man usually of noble birth, who after an apprenticeship as a page and squire was raised to honorable military rank."

Noble "Belonging to or constituting a class (the nobility) possessing a hereditary social or political preeminence in a country or state."

Preeminent. "Eminent before or above others; superior to or surpassing others; distinguished beyond others."

All the above definitions taken from THE AMERICAN COLLEGE DICTIONARY , 1958

I don't know, it seems to me the word "Esquire" is a title of nobility. Maybe those who wrote "THE AMERICAN COLLEGE DICTIONARY " didn't know what they were talking about, so lets look to another dictionary and see what it has to say.

The following definitions were taken from Black's Law Dictionary.

Esquire. "In English law, a title of dignity next above gentleman , and below knight."

Gentleman. "In its English origin, this term formally referred to a man of noble birth or gentle birth." Nobility. "In English law, a division of the people, comprehending dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, and barons. These had anciently duties annexed to their respective honors. They were created by writ, i.e., by royal summons to attend the house of peers, or by letters patent, i.e., by royal grant of any dignity and degree of peerage; and they enjoy many privileges, exclusive to their senatorial capacity." I'd say esquire is definitely a "Title of Nobility" . Than again the definitions given in Black's must be wrong because justshutupandtakeit says "Esquire" is not a title of nobility in America" so therefor Black's Law Dictionary as well as THE AMERICAN COLLEGE DICTIONARY must be wrong.

Lets see if I can find any other books with the definition of "Esquire" in them.

Lets try Bouviers.

ESQUIRE.

"A title applied by courtesy to officers of almost every description, to members of the bar, and others.
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."

NOBILITY. "An order of men in several countries to whom privileges are granted at the expense of the rest of the people.

2. The constitution of the United States provides that no state shall " grant any title of nobility; and no person can become a citizen ot' the United States until he has renounced all titles of nobility." The Federalist, No. 84; 2 Story, Laws U. S. 851."
"It refers to titles of nobility or offices from a foreign country."

Every definition of "esquire" states its an "English" term. I believe England is a foreign country to ours, but I guess (according to you) I'd be wrong in that statement as well. I gotta say the word "esquire" really truly looks like a title of nobility to me.