sir reverance

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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.] [1913 Webster]

He was crowned lord and sire.— Gower.[1913 Webster]

In the election of a sir so rare.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

2.A title prefixed to the Christian name of a knight or a baronet. [1913 Webster]

Sir Horace Vere, his brother, was the principal in the active part.— Bacon.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

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.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Sir reverance. See under Reverence, n. [1913 Webster]