|mistə(r), in rapid speech sometimes (|)mist noun
( plural messrs. |mesə(r)z sometimes -eshə- or -es(h)yə- or -ezə- or ezhə- or -ez(h)yə-)
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Middle English Mr, abbreviation of maister master — more at master
1.
a. — used as a conventional title of courtesy except when usage requires the substitution of a title of rank or the substitution of an honorific or professional title before a man's surname
spoke to Mr. Doe
may I have a word with you, Mr. Doe
or sometimes before a man's given name and surname when the two are used together
a Mr. John Doe has left a message for you
b. — used in direct address as a conventional title of respect before a man's title of office now usually only when the title of office is not followed by the surname
may I ask one more question, Mr. President
c. — used before the name of a place (as a country, city) or of a profession or other line of activity (as a sport) or before some epithet (as clever ) to form a title applied to a male viewed or recognized as especially outstanding in or as representative of the thing indicated
was Mr. Baseball to many for a number of years
was elected Mr. America
2. obsolete : master
refused the title of Mr. of Arts — Robert Godfrey
3. : mister II