Dictionary (n.) Formerly, an armor bearer, as of a knight, an esquire who bore his shield and rendered other services. In later use, one next in degree to a knight, and entitled to armorial bearings. The term is now superseded by esquire.Thesaurus Brahman archduke armiger baron baronet blue blood count daimio duke earl esquire gentleman grand duke grandee hidalgo lace-curtain laird landgrave lord lordling magnate magnifico margrave marquis noble nobleman optimate palsgrave patrician peer seigneur seignior silk-stocking squire swell thoroughbred upper-cruster viscount waldgrave |