Sir (?), n. [OE. sire, F. sire, contr. from the nominative L. senior an elder, elderly person, compar. of senex,senis, an aged person; akin to Gr. &?;&?;&?; old, Skr. 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.
&fist; 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.
Hear it pronounced