sir: [13] In common with many other European terms of address for men (such as monsieur and se?or), sir goes back ultimately to Latin senior ‘older’ (source also of English senior). This was reduced in Vulgar Latin to *seior, which found its way into Old French as *sieire, later sire. English borrowed this as sire [13], which in weakly-stressed positions (prefixed to names, for instance) became sir.
Other titles based on senior that have found their way into English include French monsieur [15] (literally ‘my sire’), together with its plural messieurs [17], abbreviated to messrs [18]; French seigneur [16]; Spanish se?or [17]; and Italian signor [16]. Surly [16] is an alteration of an earlier sirly ‘lordly’, a derivative of sir.
The meaning ‘grumpy’ evolved via an intermediate ‘haughty’. => senator, senior, sire, surly
sir
c. 1300, title of honor of a knight or baronet (until 17c. also a title of priests), variant of sire, originally used only in unstressed position. Generalized as a respectful form of address by mid-14c.; used as a salutation at the beginning of letters from early 15c.
例文
1. Sir Robert made his announcement after talks with the President.
大統領との会談後、ロバート卿が声明を発表した。
2. Sir Denis took one look and sent it back.
デニス卿は一目見て送り返した。
3. Sir Geoffrey had no personal animosity towards the Prime Minister.
ジェフリー卿は首相に対して個人的な恨みはない。
4. "We need proof, sir ." Another pause. Then, "Very well.「
「私たちには証拠が必要です。」また一時停止です。そして、「それでいいでしょう。」
5.Ben Brantley 's article on Sir Ian McKellen rekindled many memories.