Category:Sir

Sir, n. Etym: [oe. sire, f. sire, contr. from the nominative l. Senior an elder, elderly person, compar. of senex,senis, an aged Person; akin to gr. sana, goth. sineigs old, sinista eldest, ir. & Gael. sean old, w. hen. Cf. Seignior, senate, seneschal, senior, Senor, signor, sire, sirrah.]

1. A man of social authority and dignity; a lord; a master; a Gentleman; -- in this sense usually spelled sire. [obs.] He was crowned lord and sire. Gower. In the election of a sir so rare. Shak.

2. A title prefixed to the christian name of a knight or a baronet. Sir horace vere, his brother, was the principal in the active part. Bacon.

3. An english rendering of the latin dominus, the academical title of A bachelor of arts; -- formerly colloquially, and sometimes Contemptuously, applied to the clergy. Nares. Instead of a faithful and painful teacher, they hire a sir john, Which hath better skill in playing at tables, or in keeping of a Garden, than in god's word. Latimer.

4. A respectful title, used in addressing a man, without being Prefixed to his name; -- used especially in speaking to elders or Superiors; sometimes, also, used in the way of emphatic formality. "what's that to you, sir" sheridan.

Note: anciently, this title, was often used when a person was Addressed as a man holding a certain office, or following a certain Business. "sir man of law." "sir parish priest." Chaucer. Sir Reverance. See under reverence, n.