in law, signify a contract or promise made between a man and a woman, to marry each other; and in cases where marriage may be consummated, espousals go before. Marriage is termed an espousal de praefiniti.

ESQUIRE was anciently the person that attended a knight in time of war, and carried his shield.

This title has not for a long time, had any relation to the office of the person, as to carry arms, &c. Those to whom the title of esquire is now of right due, are all noblemen's younger sons, and the eldest sons of such younger sons; the eldest sons of knights, and their eldest sons; the officers of the king's courts, and of his household; counsellors at law, justices of the peace, &c. though those latter are only esquires in reputation: besides, a justice of the peace holds this title no longer than he is in commission, in case he is not otherwise qualified to bear it: but a sheriff of a county, who is a superior officer, retains the title of esquire during life, in consequence of the trust once reposed in him: the heads of some ancient families are said to be esquires by prescription.

ESQUIRES of the king, are such as have that title by creation, wherein there is some formality used, as the putting about their necks a collar of SS, and bestowing on them a pair of silver-spurs, &c.