Sire - Definitions from Dictionary.com

7 results for: Sire

Browse Nearby Entries

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

sire

Audio Help [sahy^uh

r] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, sired, sir·ing.

–noun

1.	the male parent of a quadruped.

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

Archaic.

a.	a father or forefather.

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

–verb (used with object)

4.	to beget; procreate as the father.

[Origin: 1175–1225; ME < OF (nom. sing.) < VL *seior, for L senior senior (cf. F monsieur orig., my lord, with sieur < *seiōr-, obl. s. of *seior)

]

—Related forms

sireless, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Sire

To learn more about Sire visit Britannica.com

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

sire Audio Help (sīr) Pronunciation Key
n.

A father.
The male parent of an animal, especially a domesticated mammal such as a horse.
Archaic A male ancestor; a forefather.
Archaic A gentleman of rank.
Archaic Used as a form of address for a superior, especially a king.

tr.v. sired, sir·ing, sires
To father; beget.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *seior, from Latin senior, older, comparative of senex, old; see sen- in Indo-European roots.]

(Download Now or Buy the Book)

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
sire

c.1205, title placed before a name and denoting knighthood, from O.Fr. sire, from V.L. *seior, from L. senior "older, elder" (see senior). Standing alone and meaning "your majesty" it is attested from c.1225. General sense of "important elderly man" is from 1362; that of "father, male parent" is from c.1250. The verb meaning "to beget, to be the sire of" is attested from 1611, from the noun.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

sire
noun
1.	a title of address formerly used for a man of rank and authority
2.	the founder of a family; "keep the faith of our forefathers" [syn: forefather]
3.	male parent of an animal especially a domestic animal such as a horse
verb
1.	make children; "Abraham begot Isaac"; "Men often father children but don't recognize them" [syn: beget]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Sire

Grand"sire"\, n. [OF. grantsire. See Grand, and Sire.] Specifically, a grandfather; more generally, any ancestor.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Sire

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.]

He was crowned lord and sire. --Gower.

In the election of a sir so rare. --Shak.

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. --Bacon.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sir reverance. See under Reverence, n.

Acronym Finder - Cite This Source - Share This

SIRE

SIRE: in Acronym Finder

Browse Nearby Entries: