Sir
Sir , noun
[Old English sire, French sire, contr. from the nominative Latin senior an elder, elderly person, compar. of senex,senis, an aged person; akin to Greek {not transcribed} old, Sanskrit sana, Gothic sineigs old, sinista eldest, Ir. & Gael. sean old, Welsh hen. Compare 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. [Obsolete]
He was crowned lord and sire.
In the election of a sir so rare.
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.
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.
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?
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.”
Collocations (1)
Sir reverance , See under Reverence, n.