ESQUIRE

In English law. A title of dignity next above gentleman, and below knight. Also a title of office given to sheriffs, serjeants, and barristers at law, justices of the peace, and others. 1 Bl. Comm. 406; 3 ·Steph. Comm. 15, note; Tomlins. On the use of this term in American law, particularly as applied to justices of the peace and other inferior judicial officers, see Call ·v. Foresman, 5 Watts (Pa.) 331; Christian v. Ashley County, ·24 Ark. 151; Com. v. Vance, 15 Serg. & R. (Pa.) 37. ES·SARTER, L. Fr. To cut down woods to clear land of trees and underwood; properly to thin woods, by cutting trees, etc., at intervals. Spelman. [s. 444]