1. (n.) A man of social authority and dignity; a lord; a master; a gentleman; -- in this sense usually spelled sire.

2. (n.) A title prefixed to the Christian name of a knight or a baronet.

3. (n.) An English rendering of the Latin Dominus, the academic title of a bachelor of arts; -- formerly colloquially, and sometimes contemptuously, applied to the clergy.

4. (n.) 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.