Middle English Dictionary Entry
sī̆r(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | sī̆r(e n. Also sirre, sier(e, schir, cīr, sē̆r(e, sor(e, sur(e, saere, (in surname) siour. |
| Etymology | OF sers, sire, sieur, sor, vars. of seignor. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. beausher, beausir(e, s.v. beau adj. 2.(g), (h).
1.
As title: (a) preceding a name, applied to one of the order of knighthood; also used for nobility and royalty, as members of the same order; (b) used similarly for priests and other clergy; (c) applied analogously to historical and mythological persons; (d) used in allegorical names; (e) used in addressing a person by the name of his occupation or position; also used contemptuously.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)11220 : Wulcume sire Arður, wilcume lauerd.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)33/577 : Sire Aþulf, þi broþer..schal haue anoþer.
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)165 : Sire Daris vnderȝet þat Floriz murninge set.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)11852-3 : Sir Ion, erl of wareine & sir henri..& sir warin of bassingbourne wende mid al hor maine, & oþer kniȝt manion.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)1855 : Sir Vter Pendragon Fauȝt þer as a wode lyoun.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1214 : Þan ride to-gedere a gret route of rinkes..to sir william.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Th.(Manly-Rickert)B.2106 : Hym self drank water of the well As dide the knyght sire Percyuell.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)476 : He glent vpon sir Gawen & gaynly he sayde, [etc.].
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)29/60,69-71 : Þe knightes..Come to sir Edward [King Edward III]..Þe comun puple..said all, 'Sir Philip [King Philip VI]..And his sun, sir Iohn of France [the Dauphin] Has left vs ligand in þe mire.'
- c1440 Degrev.(Thrn)305 : Doghty Sir [vr. Sur] Degreuant Lays þe Erle on þe launde.
- a1450(a1400) Athelston (Cai 175/96)62 : He þat was eerl off Stane, Sere Egeland was hys name, Was trewe.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)814/17 : I am in the queste to syke sir Launcelot du Lake.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)204/16 : The sentence of this couenaunt I-maade by-twen saere Quyncy, Erle of Wynchestur, & Iulian, abbesse of Godestow.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)76b/b : Þis medicyne haþ often tymes be proued of a knyȝt y-clepid sir Richard Baskervile.
- (1476) Stonor2.14 : I undyrstond þat Sure John Buttelyr hath spokyn to my lady to have my Cyster Barantyne with hyme.
- c1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)1057 : Þo seyde Ser Otes de Lyle, 'Þan artow yn peryle, Byker ȝef þou abyde.'
- a1500(?a1475) Guy(4) (Cmb Ff.2.38)140 : Gye had to maystyr a knyght, Syr Harrawde of Ardurne he hyȝt.
b
- c1300 SLeg.Dunstan (LdMisc 108)77 : Some men axeden at þe Erchebischope of Caunterburi, sire Ode.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.NP.(Manly-Rickert)B.4000 : Com neer thow preest, com hider thow sire Iohn, Telle vs swich thyng as may oure hertes glade.
- (1400) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)7.59 : Sor John Hulond, presth, general receyvour of the for seyd zurl.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)2b/a : Of þe pontificate of sir vrbanus þe 5a., þe first ȝere.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.FCLife (Corp-C 296)192 : Þanne strumpatis & þeuys preisen sire iacke or hobbe & williem þe proude clerk.
- (1440) Visit.Alnwick358b : Our predecessour sir Richard Flemmyng, late bysshope of Lincolne.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)328/264 : Make a crye, and cautely þou call, Euene like as sir Annay þe sais.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.136/13 : Sir Water, Vicar of Saunford.
- (1469) Paston (EETS)1.400 : Yow wete þat Syr Thomas Howes hadde a free chapell in Caster, where-of þe gyfte longyth to me..I haue geuyn it to..Master John Yotton.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)86/9 : Sir Iohn Coleman, person of the chirche.
- a1500(c1400) St.Erk.(Hrl 2250)118 : Þe derke nyȝt ouerdrofe and day-belle ronge And Ser Erkenwolde was vp in þe vghten ere þen.
- ?a1500(?a1425) Chester Pl.Resur.(Manch 822.11C2)491/26 : Therefore, ser Cayphas, yet I dreede least theare were perryll in that deede.
- ?a1525(?a1475) Play Sacr.(Dub 652)p.65 : Her shall Ser Ysodyr þe prest speke ont[o] Ser acrystori.
c
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)2009 : Sire, maximian, Wy artou so Sore adrad of þis gracian?
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)81/52 : Ihesus was iled To-fore syre pylate.
- c1390 NHom.Narrat.(Vrn)45.315/270 : Sire Joyle, as aunter felle, Called hem alle to his Ostelle.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)4249 : Sir putifar wel vndirstod þat ioseph was o gentil blod.
- a1400(?a1350) Siege Troy(1) (Eg 2862)27/326 : In þat Cite he made a tour..Þeryn he made an Auter Of þat fals god Sir Jubiter.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.1701 : Sir Achilles..to ȝour eris late it be noon offence.
- a1425(a1400) Titus & V.(Pep 2014)432 : Of his [Pilate's] mysberyng þei wrote þus To þe Emperoure Syr Tyberyus, That he ȝaue counselle aȝen þe pees.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)382/169 : Sir Sattanne..We will ȝe witte whanne þei are wente.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)2 : Þe trewe emperour, Sir Sesar hym sulf, seysed in Rome.
- a1500 Orfeo (Hrl 3810)4/24 : Y wol ȝou telle of Syr Orphewe.
d
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)10.1 : Sire dowel dwelliþ..nouȝt a day hennes.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)10.19,20,21 : Sire se wel & sey wel & here wel þe hende, Sire werche wel wiþ þin hond..And sire godefrey go wel.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)6.267 : Lat nouȝt sire surfait sitten at þi borde.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)852 : Sir mirthe hir by the fynger hadde Daunsyng, and she hym also.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)2327 : Men calle me þe lord Syr Slowe.
e
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)266,268 : Þou ssalt, sir baxtere, anhonged be ful heye..Þou ssalt, sire botiler, þi mester vnderfonge.
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)999 : 'Sire bischop,' quad seint thomas.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)1341 : Sire emperour..ne be ȝe no so bolde.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)1089 : Now ich ise, sir iustise, Þine ordinaunce no be nouȝt wise.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3118 : Now telleth ye, sire monk..Somwhat to quyte with the knyghtes tale.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pri.(Manly-Rickert)B.1627 : Now longe moote thow saille by the coost, Sire gentil maister, gentil maryner.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.242 : Sire olde lechour, lat thy iapes be.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)prol.125 : Crist kepe þe, sire kyng, and þi kyngriche.
- a1425 Arth.& M.(LinI 150)1098 : Sire iustice, þou konst litel god To do my modur to þeo ded.
- a1450(?c1350) Pride Life (ChrC-Dub)424 : Wat schold I do at churg, wat? Schir bisop, wostou er?
- (1451) Capgr.St.Gilb.(Add 36704)112/20 : The fayre tour..whech þou say, Ser Pope, is þe grete excellens of þi dignite, to whech þou aspirest.
- c1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)1681 : Syr constable, Tell me..What ys þe knyȝtes name?
- c1500 Melusine (Roy 18.B.2)28/29 : By my feyth, sire vassal, hit commeth to you of grette pryde.
- c1500 Melusine (Roy 18.B.2)29/2 : How, sire musarde, are ye so dyspytous that ye dayne nat ansuere to me?
2.
(a) A king, lord, ruler, patron; a person of social importance; also used of God; lord (emperour, prince) and ~; (b) a master of a household; a husband; oure ~, the head of our household, usu. my husband; (c) used as a formal or respectful mode of address; ~ swete, dere (hende, leve, worshipful, etc.) ~; (d) as a term of disapprobation: wretch, rogue.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)49/526 : He..haueð..ouercumen..ti sire, sathanas, þet tu leuest up on.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)89/1506 : Hi gunne for ariue Þer king modi was sire.
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)1229 : Þou shalt ben louerd, þou shalt ben syre.
- a1350 Of Rybaudȝ (Hrl 2253)15 : Sathanas, huere syre, seyde on is sawe.
- c1330 SMChron.(Auch)474 : Of al walles, brut made him sire.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2669 : I haue sent after socour to my semly fader, þat grece haþ godli to gye as emperour & sire.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.355 : A frankeleyn..At sessions ther he was lord and sire.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.2710 : He was coroned Lord and Sire, And al the lond him hath received.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.CY.(Manly-Rickert)G.918 : I trowe he with vs be that ilke shrewe In helle wher that he is lord and sire.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)2583 : Seynt Fursy..was fyrst founder and syre Of þe cherche of Knares-myre.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)11.62 : For now is iche boy bold & he be riche, To tellen of þe trinite to be holden a sire.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1260 : Now ar chaunged to chorles..Þat sumtyme sete in her sale syres and burdes.
- c1400(?c1380) Patience (Nero A.10)93 : Oure syre syttes..on sege so hyȝe, In his g[lo]wande glorye.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)9.282 : Sitthe ich sauh hym [Lazarus] sitte as he a syre were, At alle manere ese in abrahammes lappe.
- (1414) RParl.4.57a : To the Worshipeful and Wyse Syres, and Wyse Communes, that to this present Parlement ben assembled, [etc.].
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)29/69 : Þe comun puple..said all..'Philip oure syre [King Philip VI]..Has left vs ligand in þe mire.'
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)78 : Cyyr: Dominus, erus.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)379/117 : Say to Satan oure sire, And bidde þame bringe also Lucifer, louely of lyre.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2647 : Qui has þou..wondid Ȝour sekire seruant..all were I sire [Dub: sir] callid?
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)1.1039 : Many a ful stoute sir On-to þat Cytee at þat tyme cam ful boolde.
- (c1453) Let.Oxf.in OHS 35319 : To All cristenmen..and in especiall to worschyfull Syeres, Mayre, Sherrif, and cominalte of Bristowe, [etc.].
- (1457) LRed Bk.Bristol2.184 : The right worthi and reuerent Sirs, William Canyng, Mayre of Bristowe, and William Damme.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.198/19 : In plee..bitwene religiouse men..of Oseneye (the church of Seynte George)..and Master Richard Malyngton, person of þe church of Wigynton..þe saide siris..of þe saide church of Seynte George had be In possession.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.202/11 : To the worschipfull man and dyscrete Syre, Archedecun of Oxonforde.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)61/126 : Prince of pes þow þat chylde be..Ryght a grym syre at domys day xal he be.
- a1500 Truth it (Cnt Add 68)p.72 : Butt yet he sped not off hys pray, Kyng Herrowdes that gryme syere, But he to helle hath take hys way.
b
- ?a1300 Sirith (Dgb 86)75 : Ich herde saie, As ich wende bi þe waie, Of oure sire.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.713 : Vpon a nyght Iankyn that was oure sire Redde on his book as he sat by the fire.
- a1475 Leve lystynes (Brog 2.1)p.32 : Whon owre syre..lokes after that sory pyne That schuld hengge bytwen his leggis, He is lyke..a sory laueroke satt on brode Opon two adyll eggis.
- a1475 Leve lystynes (Brog 2.1)p.32 : When the froste fresys, Owre syris tarse lesys And all-way gose a-way.
- c1475 A philosophre (Hrl 372)p.35 : Thi servaunt..is a persone, she thynkethe, of fair figure..Hyr eyen she fixethe on him..And seethe the olde, hir colde and cowherand syer..Thi lewde servaunt thi successour shal be.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)35/396 : Wifis..Wold thare husbandis were dede..So wold I oure syre were.
- c1500 Little Child.Bk.(2) (Ashm 61)88 : Wer-euer þou commys, speke honestly To ser or dame, or þer meny.
c
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)38 : Sire, nimestu no ȝeme Hu þis child murninge sit?
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)703 : Sire..Ich louie more þi swete [vr. þi leue lyf] þan al þat in þe worlde is.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)1995 : Icham Merlin, leue sire, Wiþ whom to speke þou hast desire.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2248 : Herkenes nowe, hende sires.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Gen.19.2 : I prey ȝou, sirez, bowiþ doun into þe house of ȝour child.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2742 : Certes, deere sire, I graunte yow that ye been riche and myghty.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sum.(Manly-Rickert)D.1869 : For, sire and dame, trusteth me right wel.
- a1400(?a1350) Siege Troy(1) (Eg 2862)37/459 : Sir..my lord þe king, I shal ȝow telle a new tydyng.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)15.47 : Ȝe, syre..by so no man were greued.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2237 : Now, sir swete, Of steuen mon may þe trowe.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.1174 : Syr, ȝe may me not denye..my massage to declare.
- (1425) Paston (EETS)1.4 : Right worthy and worshepefull ser, I recomaunde to yow, [etc.].
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)29/2 : No, serys, I am neyþyr eretyke ne loller.
- c1440(a1400) Eglam.(Thrn)437 : Welecome, sirris, mot ȝe be!
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)163 : Ȝe, syrys semly, all same syttyth on syde, For bothe be see and be londe my sondys I haue sent.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)115/84 : Ȝe ar welcum, sirre.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2491 : Lö my seris, now may se ȝour-selfe with ȝour eȝen.
- (c1454) Let.Oxf.in OHS 35323 : Rygth worschipfull syrys, we grete you well.
- (?a1462) Paston2.268 : Seere, pleese it your goode maystyrschep to haue in remembrauns, [etc.].
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)192/6 : Therfore, sirres, truste to our sawys, ye shall fynde hym your uttir enemye.
- c1475 Brm.Abraham (Brm)435 : Lö sovereyns and sorys, now haue we schowyd Thys solom story..to gret a[nd] smale.
- a1500(a1400) Cleges (Adv 19.1.11)455 : Sore, for thy corteci, Smyȝte me no more.
- a1500 Nicod.(4) (Hrl 149)111 : Syr, Saueour and Kynge of glorye, thou art comen for to saue vs.
- ?a1525(?a1475) Play Sacr.(Dub 652)221 : Well, syrse, than kype cunsel, I cummande yow all.
- -?-(1467-8) Will in Som.RS 16200 : By the same token that I said to thabbat, Sir, I have a goode quarrell.
d
- c1460 Idley Instr.(LdMisc 416)2.B.2225 : [Cmb: Thow art a boolde begger and a sturdie] syre.
- c1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)1902 : Þo halp hym naȝt hys armys, Hys chauntement ne hys charmys; Adoun fell þat sory syre.
3.
Sire, father; ~ name, father's name, surname; -- ? = surname n.; ~ soil, native land; graunt ~, q.v.
Associated quotations
- c1275 LSSerm.(Clg A.9)81 : Hire sire and hire dame þreteþ hire to bete.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.183 : Non of hem wiste who was his owne sire.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Mch.(Manly-Rickert)E.2265 : Now by my modres sires soule, I swere That I shal yeuen hire suffisant answere.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)5.37 : My syre seyde so to me, and so did my dame.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)4.369 : Þat is reisonable [read: noȝt reisonable] ne rect to refusy my syres sorname [vr. syre name].
- a1425 NHom.(3) Leg.Suppl.Hrl.(Hrl 4196)152/455 : I saw my syre [L patrem meum] Brinand depe in hell-fire.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)2492 : For fals in love was he, ryght as his syre. The devil sette here soules bothe afyre!
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)5021 : Bot þe sire soile in na side see sall þou neuire.
- c1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)229 : Gaweyn, hys owene syre, Heng abowte hys swyre A scheld wyth a gryffoun.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)301/268 : Thou says god is thi syre; I shall the prove by good reson thou moyttys as man dos into myre.
4.
In surnames.
Associated quotations
- (1199) CRR(1) 1391 : Johannes le Sire.
- (1204) CRR(2) 3196 : Ricardus le Sire.
- (1222) Domesday Bk.St.Paul in Camd.6968 : Rogerus siere.
- (1222-3) Feet Fines Sus.in Sus.RS 247 : Ricardus Sireward.
- (1296-7) Acc.Cornw.in RHS ser.3.68159 : De 6 d. Ricardo le Syour pro vna solda in foro ad firmam hoc anno.
- (1313) Sub.R.Bristol(1) in BGAS 19255 : Petrus Sire.
- (1378) in Ewen Surnames Brit.158 : R. Syre.