Definition of the word "sir." What's is it's etymology and usage from the ancient times to the modern times?

Answer 1

[Reduced form of sire SIRE n., the shortening being due to the absence of stress before the following name or appellation. The forms sore, sur(e may represent OF. sor or sieur, the oblique case of sire.]

A. Illustration of forms.

() 4- sir (6 sirr, 6-7 Sr), 5-7 syr.

() 3-6 ser, 4-5 sere.

() 5 sur, sure, sore.

() Sc. 4-5 scher(e, 5 schyr, 5-6 schir (5 shir).
In later Sc. also STIR (cf. STIRRAH).

B. Signification. I. 1. a. The distinctive title of honour of a knight or a baronet, placed before the Christian name (rarely the surname).

b. In transf. uses, as Sir Harry, John, Sydney, Timothy (see quots.); Sir Berkeley coarse slang [after Berkeley Hunt: see BERK], the female genital organs; hence transf., sexual intercourse, ‘sex’; Sir Garnet: see GARNET5.
See also BARLEYCORN 1b and ROGER DE COVERLEY.

2. Applied retrospectively to notable personages of ancient, esp. sacred or classical, history. Now only arch.

3. a. Used fancifully, or as a mock title.

b. Sir Rag (see quots.).

4. Placed before the Christian name of ordinary priests (also that of a pope). Obs. (Cf. SIRE n. 1b, and DAN1 a.)
It has been supposed that this use arose out of sense 5, but there appears to be no evidence for this, although the title (at least in later times) was clearly used in contrast to Master, and denoted that the priest had not graduated in a university. For the generalized use of Sir John see JOHN 3.

5. Used (as a rendering of L. dominus), with the surname of the person, to designate a Bachelor of Arts in some Universities. Obs.

II. 6. a. Placed before a common noun, and forming with it a term of address, as Sir clerk, king, knight, etc. Now arch.

b. With contemptuous, ironic, or irate force.

7. a. Used as a respectful term of address to a superior or, in later use, an equal (sometimes with additions as dear, fair, gentle, good); also by schoolchildren in addressing a master, and formally in addressing the Speaker of a legislative assembly.

b. In pl., used in addressing two or more persons. In Scottish use passing into a mere exclamation (see the later quots.).

c. Used in commencing or subscribing letters.

8. a. Used with scornful, contemptuous, indignant, or defiant force. (Cf. SIRRAH.)

b. my dear sir, in remonstrance or expostulation.

c. yes, sir: an emphatic assertion; no, sir: see NOSSIR. Chiefly U.S. colloq.

9. Applied to women. Now dial.

10. a. A person of rank or importance (more recently, also spec. a knight or baronet); a lord, a gentleman; one who might be addressed as ‘sir’.
In early use equivalent to sire; in later examples usually by direct transference from sense 7.

b. spec. a schoolmaster. colloq. or humorous.

11. A parson or priest. Now dial. (Cf. 4.)

Answer 2

"sir" comes from a word meaning "senior" similar to the way the japanese have sensei and the koreans have sonsaeng.
That ancient word was the Vulgar (spoken latin) word "seior" and later was used as a word for respect "sire" as it grew into middle English. While evolving in Middle English, it became associated with Royalty, and still has that association in Britain (where the queen can still make knights who gain the title "Sir" but is still principally used as a form of respect in other English speaking countries like the United States.

So the word comes from "Senior" but has developed serveral other meanings.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Word and phrase origins.

http://www.wordorigins.org/

http://www.worldwidewords.org/

http://www.takeourword.com/index.html

This is a map of the wheel-ruts of modern English. Etymologies are not definitions; they're explanations of what our words meant and how they sounded 600 or 2,000 years ago.

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php

Origin Unknown (words of unknown origin)

http://www.well.com/user/smalin/unknown.html

Good luck.

Kevin, Liverpool, England.