SIR • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Sir

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/sər/ Listen

noun

Sir n.

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." "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. "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?" Note: 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."

Sir reverance. See under Reverence, n.

See images of 'Sir'

Etymology of 'Sir'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Sir" Quotes from Famous Books

... in conclusion, about the government of Sarawak. Sir James Brooke found the Dyaks oppressed and ground down by the most cruel tyranny. They were cheated by the Malay traders and robbed by the Malay chiefs. Their wives and children were often captured and sold into slavery, and ...

— The Malay Archipelago - Volume I. (of II.) • Alfred Russel Wallace

... enemy came down upon him. The King of Sardinia was urged to retire. "That is not the way to get out of this," cried the marshal, and, sword in hand, he charged at the head of the body-guard; Charles Emmanuel followed his example; the Austrians were driven in. "Sir," said Villars to the king, who was complimenting him, "these are the last sparks of my life; thus, at departing, I take ...

— A Popular History of France From The Earliest Times - Volume VI. of VI. • Francois Pierre Guillaume Guizot

... to argoo the case with her umbrella, never lettin' go of my shirt collar. Sir, she argood until dinner time, an' then she resoomed the debate until I fell asleep. The last I knowed she was ...

— Police!!! • Robert W. Chambers

... I thought, sir," she said, "he was never really bad. It was all nerves and fidgetting about himself. He thought he was in a very bad state, and kept on making himself worse and worse, till he believed that he was going to die. ...

— The Vast Abyss - The Story of Tom Blount, his Uncles and his Cousin Sam • George Manville Fenn

... jump out of themselves, to dispose in a short time of 'three thousand d'Abrantes,' as they say in their slang. Besides, I see daylight for a third and larger edition. If Mamifere (Mame) does not behave well, say to him, 'My dear sir, M. de Balzac has my business in his charge still as he had on the day he presented you to me; you must feel he has the priority over the preference you ask for.' This done, wait for me. I shall make you ...

— Women in the Life of Balzac • Juanita Helm Floyd

Copyright © 2025 Diccionario ingles.com