squir

n. Same as Squirarchy. [ 1913 Webster ]

That such weight and influence be put thereby into the hands of the squiralty of my kingdom. Sterne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Squire + -arch. ] One who belongs to the squirarchy. -- Squir"arch*al a. [1913 Webster]

n. [ Squire + -archy. ] The gentlemen, or gentry, of a country, collectively. [ Written also squirearchy. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. squired p. pr. & vb. n. squiring. ] 1. To attend as a squire. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To attend as a beau, or gallant, for aid and protection; as, to squire a lady. [ Colloq. ] Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. esquierre, F. équerre. See Square, n. ] A square; a measure; a rule. [ Obs. ] “With golden squire.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Aphetic form of esquire. ] 1. A shield-bearer or armor-bearer who attended a knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A title of dignity next in degree below knight, and above gentleman. See Esquire. [ Eng. ] “His privy knights and squires.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A male attendant on a great personage; also (Colloq.), a devoted attendant or follower of a lady; a beau. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A title of office and courtesy. See under Esquire. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who is half squire and half farmer; -- used humorously. [ Eng. ] C. Kingsley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The rank or state of a squire; squireship. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]