Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Sir
Sir
,Noun.
[OE.
sire
, F. sire
, contr. from the nominative L. senior
an elder, elderly person, compar. of senex
,senis
, an aged person; akin to Gr. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK] 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. Shakespeare
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.
☞ 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
, Noun.
Webster 1828 Edition
Sir
SIR
,Noun.
1.
A word or respect used in addresses to men, as madam is in addresses to women. It signifies properly lord, corresponding to dominus in Latin, in Spanish, and herr in German. It is used in the singular or plural. Speak on, sir. But sirs, be sudden in the execution.2.
The title of a knight or baronet; as Sir Horace Vere.3.
It is used by Shakespeare for man. In the election of a sir so rare. [Not in use.]4.
In American colleges, the title of a master of arts.5.
It is prefixed to loin, in sirloin; as a sirloin of beef. This practice is said to have originated in the knighting of a loin of beef by one of the English kings in a fit of good humor.6.
Formerly the title or a priest.Definition 2024
Sir
Sir
English
Noun
Sir (plural Sirs)
- Alternative letter-case form of sir.
- (Britain) The titular prefix given to a knight or baronet.
Coordinate terms
- Dame
- (titles) (of a man): Mr (Mister, mister), Sir (sir); (of a woman): Ms (Miz, mizz), Mrs (Mistress, mistress), Miss (miss), Dame (dame), (of a non-binary person): Mx (Mixter); (see also): Dr (Doctor, doctor), Madam (madam, ma'am) (Category: en:Titles)
Translations
title
Anagrams
sir
sir
English
Noun
sir (plural sirs)
- A man of a higher rank or position.
- An address to a male military officer superior.
- Yes sir.
- An address to a male teacher.
- An address to any male, especially if his name or proper address is unknown.
- Excuse me, sir, could you tell me where the nearest bookstore is?
- (colloquial) Used as an intensifier after yes or no.
Coordinate terms
- (address for a military superior officer): ma'am
- (address for a teacher): miss
- (address for stranger): madam, ma'am, miss
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
man of a higher rank or position
address to a military superior
|
address to any male, especially if his name or proper address is unknown
|
|
Verb
sir (third-person singular simple present sirs, present participle sirring, simple past and past participle sirred)
- To address (someone) using "sir".
- "Right this way, sir." — "You don't have to sir me."
- He sirred me! Do I really look that masculine just because I'm wearing a tie?
Coordinate terms
See also
- lord
- (titles) (of a man): Mr (Mister, mister), Sir (sir); (of a woman): Ms (Miz, mizz), Mrs (Mistress, mistress), Miss (miss), Dame (dame), (of a non-binary person): Mx (Mixter); (see also): Dr (Doctor, doctor), Madam (madam, ma'am) (Category: en:Titles)
Anagrams
Scottish Gaelic
Verb
sir (past shir, future siridh, verbal noun sireadh, past participle sirte)
Synonyms
Serbo-Croatian
Etymology
From Proto-Slavic *syrъ, derived from "sour milk"
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /sîr/
Noun
sȉr m (Cyrillic spelling си̏р)
Declension
Declension of sir
Derived terms
Slovene
Etymology
From Proto-Slavic *syrъ, derived from "sour milk"
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈsír/
- Tonal orthography: sȉr
Noun
sìr m inan (genitive síra, nominative plural síri)
Declension
Declension of sìr (masculine inan., hard o-stem)