Sir

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

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.].

•  A man of social authority and dignity; a lord; a master; a gentleman; -- in this sense usually spelled sire.  [1913 Webster]

  "He was crowned lord and sire."  [1913 Webster]

  "In the election of a sir so rare."  [1913 Webster]
•  A title prefixed to the Christian name of a knight or a baronet.  [1913 Webster]

  "Sir Horace Vere, his brother, was the principal in the active part."  [1913 Webster]
•  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.  [1913 Webster]

  "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."  [1913 Webster]
•  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.  Sheridan.  [1913 Webster]

  " 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.  [1913 Webster]

Sir reverance. See under Reverence, n.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Sir, n.
1 a polite or respectful form of address or mode of reference to a man.
2 (Sir) a titular prefix to the forename of a knight or baronet.

Etymology

ME, reduced form of SIRE

ROGET THESAURUS

Sir

Title

N title, honor, knighthood, highness, excellency, grace, lordship, worship, reverence, reverend, esquire, sir, master, Mr, signor, senor, Mein Herr, mynheer, your honor, his honor, serene highness, handle to one's name, decoration, laurel, palm, wreath, garland, bays, medal, ribbon, riband, blue ribbon, cordon, cross, crown, coronet, star, garter, feather, feather in one's cap, epaulet, epaulette, colors, cockade, livery, order, arms, shield, scutcheon, reward.

Man

N man, male, he, him, manhood, gentleman, sir, master, sahib, yeoman, wight, swain, fellow, blade, beau, elf, chap, gaffer, good man, husband, Mr, mister, boy, cock, drake, gander, dog, boar, stag, hart, buck, horse, entire horse, stallion, gibcat, tomcat, he goat, Billy goat, ram, tup, bull, bullock, capon, ox, gelding, steer, stot, androgen, homosexual, gay, queen, male, he-, masculine, manly, virile, unwomanly, unfeminine, Pron, he, him, his, hominem pagina nostra sapit, homo homini aut deus aut lupus, homo vitae commodatus non donatus est.