† beausire Obs.
Forms: 4 beau sir(e, 5 bawshere, besher, bewsher(e, 6 beaw schirre, bew schyre, bew schirre. See also belsire.
[a. F. beau fair, sire sir, lord. In OF. bel sire, beau sire was a general form of respectful address: see beau, beaupere.]
Fair sir, a form of address.
| c 1300 Beket 768 Beau sire..thu spext as a fol. c 1340 Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 1222 ‘Nay, for soþe, beau sir,’ sayd þat swete. c 1400 Destr. Troy v. 1863 Beusher, who so euer þou be..Me meruellis of þi momlyng. c 1460 Towneley Myst. 66 Be stylle, beshers. Ibid. 69 Welcom, bawshere. Ibid. 241 Thou shalle abak, bewshere. 1513 Douglas æneis ix. Prol. 79 Sa faris with me bew schirris. |