Sir \Sir\, n. [OE. sire, F. sire, contr. from the nominative L.
   senior an elder, elderly person, compar. of senex,senis, an
   aged person; akin to Gr. ??? 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.]
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            He was crowned lord and sire.         --Gower.
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            In the election of a sir so rare.     --Shak.
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   2. A title prefixed to the Christian name of a knight or a
      baronet.
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            Sir Horace Vere, his brother, was the principal in
            the active part.                      --Bacon.
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   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.
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            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.
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   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.
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   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." --Chaucer.
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   Sir reverance. See under Reverence, n.
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