Sire is an archaic respectful form of address to reigning kings in Europe. In French and other languages it is less archaic and relatively more current.[ citation needed] In Belgium, the king is addressed as "Sire..." in both Dutch and French.[ citation needed]
The words "sire" and " sir", as well as the French " (mon)sieur" and the Spanish " señor", share a common etymological origin, all ultimately being related to the Latin senior. The female equivalent form of address is dame or dam. [1]