sir

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a polite way of addressing a man, especially one you do not know or who is older or more important

   Excuse me, sir, do you know the way to the museum?

2. 2
   verb

   to address someone using the word "sir"

   Don't sir me; just call me by my name.

Simplified etymology

Sir is a Middle English shortened form of sire and has been used as a title for a knight since the Middle Ages. Sire derives from Latin senior, “older” or “older man,” which is related to senex, “old man.” Words based on senior similarly became forms of respectful address in several Romance languages.

From Middle English sir, unstressed form of sire, borrowed from Old French sire (“master, sir, lord”), from Latin senior (“older, elder”), from senex (“old”). Doublet of seigneur, seignior, senhor, senior, señor, senyor, signore, and sire.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary