sire

[ sahyuhr ]
See synonyms for: siresiredsiring on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. the male parent of a quadruped.

  2. a respectful term of address, now used only to a male sovereign.

  1. Archaic.

    • a father or forefather.

    • a person of importance or in a position of authority, as a lord.

verb (used with object),sired, sir·ing.
  1. to beget; procreate as the father.

Origin of sire

1
1175–1225; Middle English <Old French (nominative singular) <Vulgar Latin *seior, for Latin seniorsenior (compare French monsieur originally, my lord, with sieur<*seiōr-, oblique stem of *seior)

Other words from sire

  • sireless, adjective

Words Nearby sire

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use sire in a sentence

  • One child between three and four was convulsed at the sight of his baby bib fastened round the neck of his bearded sire.

    Children's Ways | James Sully
  • It was he who deserved punishment—not the sufferer with his calamities imposed upon him by his erring sire.

  • sire, blood drawn improves the complexion, so mine ought to be good this morning.

    Chicot the Jester | Alexandre Dumas, Pere
  • Infinitely better, sire; I feel quite joyous, and disposed for happiness and pleasure.

    Chicot the Jester | Alexandre Dumas, Pere
  • I doubt it, sire, and I advise you to send away this libertine St. Luc, who is resolved not to amend.

    Chicot the Jester | Alexandre Dumas, Pere

British Dictionary definitions for sire

sire

/ (saɪə) /


noun
  1. a male parent, esp of a horse or other domestic animal

  2. a respectful term of address, now used only in addressing a male monarch

  1. obsolete a man of high rank

verb
  1. (tr) (esp of a domestic animal) to father; beget

Origin of sire

1
C13: from Old French, from Latin senior an elder, from senex an old man

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012