sir-ˈreverence, n. Obs. exc. dial.
Also Sir-, and 6 se-, save, 7 sa-reverence.
[Alteration of save (abbreviated to sa') reverence: see save prep. 4 and reverence n. 5.]
† 1. sir-reverence of, with all respect for, with apologies to. (Cf. reverence n. 5.) Obs.
| 1575 Gamm. Gurton v. ii, Sir reuerence of your master⁓dome, and you were out a-doore [etc.]. 1594 Lodge & Greene Looking Gl. 326 And sir, sir-reuerence of your manhood and genterie, I haue brought home such mony as you lent me. 1614 Rich Homestie of Age (1844) 14 His manners, that hauing to tell a sober tale to a Justice of peace, would still begin his speeches with ‘Sir reuerence of your worships honesty’. 1634 Massinger Very Woman ii. iii, The beastliest man—..(Sir-reverence of the company)—a rank whoremaster. |
† b. Without
const. Obs.| α 1590 Shakes. Com. Err. iii. ii. 91 A very reuerent body: I such a one, as a man may not speake of, without he say sir reuerence. 1592 G. Harvey Four Lett. Wks. (Grosart) I. 171 And, sir reuerence, how lowsy he and the mother of Infortunatus were. 1614 B. Jonson Bart. Fair Induct., Hee has (sirreuerence) kick'd me three, or foure times about the Tyring-house. 1654 Gayton Pleas. Notes Pref. Verses, And makes the Country Neighbourhood about Swallow, Sir reverence, what he voideth out. 1687 A. Behn Lucky Chance iv. i, Plain Fulbank,—methinks you might have had a Sir-reverence under your girdle, Sir. |
| β 1596 Harington Metam. Ajax Let. A ij b, A thing that I cannot name wel without saue-reuerence. 1598 Deloney Jacke Newb. x. 115, I was a woman when she was, a se-reverence, a paltrie girle. 1658 Burton Comm. Antoninus Itin. 223 So great was his despite against him, meerly because he was Sacerdos Maritatus, which forsooth he cannot name without a Sa-Reverence. 1681 Blount Glossogr. (ed. 5), Sa-reverence, salva reverentia, saving regard or respect; an usual word. |
† c. With punning allusion to
sir n. 1.
Obs.| 1593 G. Harvey Pierce's Super. Wks. (Grosart) II. 270 They neither feare Goodman Sathan,..nor Sir Reuerence, nor milord Gouernement himselfe. |
2. Human excrement.
| 1592 Greene Ned Browne Wks. (Grosart) XI. 33 His face,..and his Necke, were all besmeared with the soft sirreuerence, so as he stunk. 1694 Motteux Rabelais iv. lii, For four..Days I hardly scumber'd one poor Butt of Sir⁓reverence. 1738 Bracken Farriery (1749) 218 It was a Bolus made of Sirreverence or Human Dung, begging the Reader's Pardon. 1771 Smollett Humph. Cl. 30 Apr., As a plate of marmalade would improve a pan of sir-reverence. 1828– in dial. glossaries (Yorksh., Durham). |
b. With
a. A piece or lump of this.
| 1592 Greene Upstart Courtier Wks. (Grosart) XI. 235 As far as a hungry sow can smell a sir reuerence. 1683 Dryden Vind. ‘Duke of Guise’ Wks. 1725 V. 333 If I cry a Sir-Reverence, and you take it for Honey, make the best of your Bargain. 1704 N. N. tr. Boccalini's Advts. fr. Parnass. III. 174 To try an Important Experiment, whether it was possible for 'em to preserve a Sir Reverence. 1720–1 Lett. fr. Mist's Jrnl. (1722) II. 315 To pass by the Sir⁓reverence, and the good Dousing the Dragon met with. 1836–48 B. D. Walsh Aristoph. Acharn. iv. vii, May Providence Send to the hand of this fine shark A newly-born sir-reverence. a 1840 Frere Aristoph. Acharn. 1170 Let him grasp for his defence A ponderous sir reverence. |
Hence
† sir-ˈreverence v. Obs. rare.
| 1665 Head Eng. Rogue i. iii. 27 Another time sirreverencing in a paper, and running to the window with it. 1697 Cibber Woman's Wit iv. 52 O Lord Sir! I do Sir-reverence your Person. |