What's the real definition of "esquire"?

Definitions of Esquire

What is Esquire? Is it a academic degree like a doctorate of law? Is it a rank like a General in the Army? Is it gender determinator like Ms. or Mr.? Then what is it? Then lets see what it means academically, historically and socially:..........

http://www.uslawbooks.com/books/esquire.htm

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DL

 

\Es*quire"\, n. [OF. escuyer, escuier, properly, a
shield-bearer, F. ['e]cuyer shield-bearer, armor-bearer,
squire of a knight, esquire, equerry, rider, horseman, LL.
scutarius shield-bearer, fr. L. scutum shield, akin to Gr. ?
skin, hide, from a root meaning to cover; prob. akin to E.
hide to cover. See {Hide} to cover, and cf. {Equerry},
{Escutcheon}.]
Originally, a shield-bearer or armor-bearer, an attendant on
a knight; in modern times, a title of dignity next in degree
below knight and above gentleman; also, a title of office and
courtesy; -- often shortened to squire.

Note: In England, the title of esquire belongs by right of
birth to the eldest sons of knights and their eldest
sons in perpetual succession; to the eldest sons of
younger sons of peers and their eldest sons in
perpetual succession. It is also given to sheriffs, to
justices of the peace while in commission, to those who
bear special office in the royal household, to
counselors at law, bachelors of divinity, law, or
physic, and to others. In the United States the title
is commonly given in courtesy to lawyers and justices
of the peace, and is often used in the superscription
of letters instead of Mr.