sire

/ˈsaɪə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsaɪər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsī(-ə)r/ (ame, mw) · /saɪər/ (bre, ipa) · /saɪr/ (ame, ipa)

sire — noun

  • siresingular
  • siresplural

1. the adult male animal that is the father of a young animal, used most often when

1.名詞B2
釋義

the adult male animal that is the father of a young animal, used most often when talking about horses and farm animals that are bred on purpose

例句

The ranch's best sire, a Belgian draft stallion named Thor, won three county fairs.

noun + appositive: 'best sire, a ... stallion'

When choosing a sire for her mare, Elena studied the bloodlines of five stallions.

sire + for + female animal

同義詞
  • father

    general term for a male parent, used for humans; 'sire' is restricted to animals and formal/historical address

  • stud

    a male horse kept specifically for breeding; 'stud' emphasises the animal's role, while 'sire' emphasises the parent relationship

  • progenitor

    formal term for a direct ancestor in any species; much rarer and more technical than 'sire'

反義詞
  • dam

    the female parent of an animal, especially a horse or farm livestock

文法句型

a/the sire

sire + of

用法筆記

Common in animal breeding and horse-racing contexts; the equivalent female term is 'dam'.

常見錯誤

❌The sire of the child is unknown.
✅The father of the child is unknown.
💡For humans, 'father' is the normal word; 'sire' is used for animals or in very old-fashioned or humorous contexts.

2. in the past, a formal title when speaking to a king or any man of very high rank

2.名詞C1
釋義

in the past, a formal title when speaking to a king or any man of very high rank, common in medieval stories and formal ceremonies

例句

"Your loyal subjects await your command, sire," said the messenger, kneeling before the throne.

direct address: comma + 'sire' after a statement

The peasant bowed low and whispered, "Sire, I bring troubling news from the northern border."

同義詞
  • Your Majesty

    the standard formal address for a king or queen in modern English; 'sire' sounds older and more medieval

  • liege

    a feudal lord or sovereign to whom allegiance is owed; 'liege' is a noun referring to the lord, not a direct address term

文法句型

Yes, sire

Sire, ...

a sire

用法筆記

Now largely limited to historical films, novels, and formal ceremonies. 'Your Majesty' is the standard modern address for a reigning monarch; 'sire' sounds old-fashioned.

常見錯誤

❌Hello sire, can I help you?' (to a customer)
✅Hello sir, can I help you?
💡'Sir' is the modern polite term; 'sire' is only for kings in historical contexts.

3. a male ancestor from a much earlier time, especially one who founded a family, c

3.名詞C1
釋義

a male ancestor from a much earlier time, especially one who founded a family, clan, or dynasty

例句

The grey stone castle was built by the sire of the MacLeod clan in the thirteenth century.

sire + of + clan/family name

Historians believe the village's founding sire was a Norse chieftain who settled there around 900 AD.

同義詞
  • forefather

    a more common word for an early ancestor; 'sire' is more formal and often implies a single founding figure

  • ancestor

    any person from whom one is descended; broader and more neutral than 'sire'

  • progenitor

    a direct ancestor or originator; even more formal and technical than 'sire'

  • founder

    a person who establishes an institution or family; emphasises the act of founding, not just ancestry

反義詞
  • descendant

    a person who is descended from a particular ancestor

文法句型

the sire of

a/the founding sire

用法筆記

Often used in poetic or genealogical contexts. 'Forefather' or 'ancestor' are more common in everyday language; 'sire' carries a more formal or literary tone.

常見錯誤

❌My sire came from Ireland in the 1800s.
✅My ancestor came from Ireland in the 1800s.
💡'Sire' in this sense sounds very literary; 'ancestor' or 'forefather' is more neutral.

sire — verb