"Well, sir, if it isn't too great a liberty, I am a neighbour of yours, for you'll find
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noun 1. a polite way of referring to a man (usually used by someone serving in a shop or restaurant) ○ Would you like a drink with your lunch, sir? ○ Please come this way, sir. 2. a way of addressing a male teacher, in Britain ○ Please sir, I forgot to bring my homework. 3. □ Dear Sir (in letters) a polite way of addressing a man you do not know 4. the title given to a baronet or knight COMMENT: The title is always used with the man’s Christian name, and, in formal address, with the surname as well: you can say ‘good morning Sir George’, but ‘may I introduce Sir George Smith?’.
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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. 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.
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