Word Origin
a respectful or formal term of address used to a man: No, sir. (initial capital letter ) the distinctive title of a knight or baronet: Sir Walter Scott. (initial capital letter ) a title of respect for some notable personage of ancient times: Sir Pandarus of Troy. a lord or gentleman: noble sirs and ladies. an ironic or humorous title of respect: sir critic. Archaic a title of respect used before a noun to designate profession, rank, etc.: sir priest; sir clerk. Show More
Origin of sir 1250–1300; Middle English; unstressed variant of
sire Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for sir's a formal or polite term of address for a man archaic a gentleman of high social status Show More
Word Origin for sir C13: variant of sire
a title of honour placed before the name of a knight or baronet Sir Walter Raleigh archaic a title placed before the name of a figure from ancient history Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for sir's c.1300, title of honor of a knight or baronet (until 17c. also a title of priests), variant of sire , originally used only in unstressed position. Generalized as a respectful form of address by mid-14c.; used as a salutation at the beginning of letters from early 15c.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
