chivalry
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Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
chivalry
- /ˈʃɪvəlɹi/
- /ˈt͡ʃɪvəlɹi/ archaic
Where it comes from
From Middle English chivalerie, a late 13th century loan from Old French chevalerie (“knighthood, chivalry, nobility, cavalry”) (11th century), the -erie (“-ery”) abstract of chevaler (“knight, horseman”), from Medieval Latin caballarius (“horseman, knight”), from caballus (“horse”). Medieval Latin caballaria (“knighthood, status or fief of a knight”) dates to the 12th century. Doublet of cavalry.
noun chivalries · chyvalry
- Cavalry; horsemen armed for battle. ‘Most of the lords who rode with Lord Renly to Storm's End have gone over banner-and-blade to Stannis, with all their chivalry.’
- The fact or condition of being a knight; knightly skill, prowess.
- The ethical code of the knight prevalent in Medieval Europe, having such primary virtues as mercy towards the poor and oppressed, humility, honour, sacrifice, fear of God, faithfulness, courage and courtesy to ladies.
- Courtesy, respect and honourable conduct, as between opponents in wartime. He had seen the woman he craved—his woman—his mate—in the arms of another. There had been but one course open to him, according to the fierce jungle code that guided him in this other existence; but just before it had become too late the softer sentiments of his inherent chivalry had risen above the
- Courteous behaviour, especially that of men towards women. The elevator doors close just as Luisa Rey reaches them, but the unseen occupant jams them with his cane. “Thank you,” says Luisa to the old man. “Glad the age of chivalry isn’t totally dead.”
- A tenure of lands by knightly service.
