English word sir comes from Proto-Italic *magjōs, Proto-Indo-European *mag-, Proto-Indo-European *-yos, Latin maior domus, Proto-Indo-European *sénos (Old.)
Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
---|---|---|
*magjōs | Proto-Italic (itc-pro) | |
*mag- | Proto-Indo-European (ine) | great, to knead, press, to knead, mix, make |
*-yos | Proto-Indo-European (ine) | comparative suffix |
maior domus | Latin (lat) | |
*sénos | Proto-Indo-European (ine) | Old. |
senior | Latin (lat) | Older, elder; rather old. |
seignur | Old French (fro) | (Anglo-Norman). |
sir | Middle English (enm) | |
sir | English (en) | (colloquial) Used as an intensifier after yes or no.. A man of a higher rank or position.. A respectful term of address to a man of higher rank or position, particularly:. A respectful term of address to any male, especially if his name or proper title is unknown.. To a knight or other low member of the peerage.. To a superior military officer.. To a teacher. To address (someone) using "sir". |