n. [ L. armiger armor bearer; arma arms + gerere to bear. ] 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 The term is now superseded by esquire. Jacob. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Bearing arms. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

They belonged to the armigerous part of the population, and were entitled to write themselves Esquire. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]