noun.
Used formerly as a courtesy title before the surname of a man not of noble birth.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
noun.
The man of the house; master; husband; head of a family.
noun.
A familiar appellation of civility; a term of respect, frequently used to or of a person before his surname: nearly equivalent to Mr. or sometimes to gaffer. It was sometimes used ironically.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
noun.
A familiar appellation of civility, equivalent to “My friend”, “Good sir”, “Mister;” -- sometimes used ironically.
noun.
A husband; the master of a house or family; -- often used in speaking familiarly.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
noun.
United States clarinetist who in 1934 formed a big band (including black as well as white musicians) and introduced a kind of jazz known as swing (1909-1986)
Word Usage
"Wait but till I call the goodman and open a pottle of my summer beer; 't is dear Dame Brewster's diet-drink, with a thought more flavor to it, and John says -- ah, here thou art, thou big sluggard."