Esquire, es-kwīr′, n. (orig.) a squire or shield-bearer: an attendant on a knight: a landed proprietor: a title of dignity next below a knight: a title given to younger sons of noblemen, &c.: a general title of respect in addressing letters. [O. Fr. esquier (Fr. écuyer)—L. scutarius—scutum, a shield.]
Ess, the name of the letter S (q.v.).
Essay, es′ā, n. a trial: an experiment: a written composition less elaborate than a treatise.—v.t. Essay′, to try: to attempt: to make experiment of:—pr.p. essay′ing; pa.p. essayed′.—ns. Essay′er, Es′sayist, one who essays: a writer of essays; Essayette′, Es′saykin, a little essay.—adjs. Es′sayish; Essayis′tic. [O. Fr. essai—L. exagium, weighing—exagĕre, to try, examine.]
Esse, es′i, n. used in phrase In esse, in existence, opposed to In posse, in potentiality. [L. esse, to be.]
Essence, es′ens, n. the inner distinctive nature of anything: the qualities which make any object what it is: a being: the extracted virtues of any drug: the solution in spirits of wine of a volatile or essential oil: a perfume.—adj. Essen′tial, relating to or containing the essence: necessary to the existence of a thing: indispensable or important in the highest degree: highly rectified: pure.—n. something necessary: a leading principle.—n. Essential′ity, the quality of being essential: an essential part.—adv. Essen′tially.—n. Essen′tialness. [Fr.,—L. essentia—essens, -entis, assumed pr.p. of esse, to be.]
Essene, es-sēn′, n. one of a small religious fraternity among the ancient Jews leading retired ascetic lives and holding property in common.—n. Essen′ism. [Bishop Lightfoot prefers the der. from Heb. chāshā, to be silent, whence chashshāīm, 'the silent ones' who meditate on mysteries.]
Essoin, es-soin′, n. (law) excuse for not appearing in court: (Spens.) excuse.—n. Essoin′er. [O. Fr. essoine (Fr. exoine), es—L. ex, out, soin, care.]
Essorant, es′ō-rant, adj. (her.) about to soar.
Establish, es-tab′lish, v.t. to settle or fix: to confirm: to prove a point: to ordain: to found: to set up in business: to institute by law as the recognised state church, and to support officially and financially.—p.adj. Estab′lished, fixed: ratified: instituted by law and supported by the state.—ns. Estab′lisher; Estab′lishment, act of establishing: fixed state: that which is established: a permanent civil or military force: one's residence and style of living: the church established by law.—adj. Establishmentār′ian, maintaining the principle of the established church.—n. one who maintains this principle. [O. Fr. establir, pr.p. establissant—L. stabilīre—stabilis, firm—stāre, to stand.]
Estacade, es-ta-kād′, n. a dike of piles in a morass, river, &c., against an enemy. [Fr.,—Sp.]