Sirly

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Behaving in the lofty, self-important manner associated with a lord or a gentleman of high rank
2. Having the bearing of a lord, marked by a proud and imperious dignity toward others
3. Resembling a person of rank in a grand, dignified and somewhat condescending fashion

Etymology: "Sirly" is an English adjective formed by adding the suffix "-ly" to "sir," meaning "like a lord" or "lordly," with the sense of being stately, dignified, or imperious. The base word "sir" comes from "sire," a variant of "sirrah" and an earlier form of "sire," used as a respectful title for a man of rank, and it reached English through Old French "sire" from Latin "senior," meaning "older" or "elder." The respect built into that title is what the suffix carries over into the adjective. Adding "-ly" to a noun to form an adjective meaning "characteristic of" or "like" is one of the most productive patterns in English, as in "kingly," "queenly," or "motherly." "Sirly" follows that pattern directly, so its meaning is transparent from its parts. It is a rare word, so its use is usually confined to literary or humorous contexts.