Library / English Dictionary

SIRE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Male parent of an animal especially a domestic animal such as a horse

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Hypernyms ("sire" is a kind of...):

male (an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes (ova))

Derivation:

sire (make (offspring) by reproduction)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The founder of a family

Example:

keep the faith of our forefathers

Synonyms:

father; forefather; sire

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("sire" is a kind of...):

ancestor; antecedent; ascendant; ascendent; root (someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sire"):

patriarch (any of the early biblical characters regarded as fathers of the human race)

Derivation:

sire (make (offspring) by reproduction)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A title of address formerly used for a man of rank and authority

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("sire" is a kind of...):

Lord; noble; nobleman (a titled peer of the realm)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make (offspring) by reproduction

Example:

John fathered four daughters

Synonyms:

beget; bring forth; engender; father; generate; get; mother; sire

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Hypernyms (to "sire" is one way to...):

create; make (make or cause to be or to become)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

sire (male parent of an animal especially a domestic animal such as a horse)

sire (the founder of a family)

Credits

 Context examples: 

“Enough, sire, enough!” said the prince, flushing with vexation.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“We are your subjects, sire,” said the Gascon barons, though with no very good grace.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“There is no better seat and no truer lance, sire,” said Chandos; “but, if I may say so without fear of offence, it were not fitting that you should join in this debate.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

They have journeyed far, sire, but they have never yet found their match.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“On my word, sire,” replied Chandos, with the utmost surprise upon his face, “it is my opinion that he is a Frenchman.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sir Nigel Loring of Hampshire, sire.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“It may be so, sire,” the Gascon nobleman answered.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Old John will bide at home, sire,” said the rugged soldier.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Your talk, sire, said the prince still more coldly, is not such as I love to hear from your lips.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I am not a Lombard, sire.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)