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.