chivalry
nounattested in dialogue
- //ˈʃɪvəlɹi//
- //ˈt͡ʃɪvəlɹi//
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.
noun
- 1
archaicCavalry; 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.’
- 2
obsoleteThe fact or condition of being a knight; knightly skill, prowess.
- 3
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.
- 4
Courtesy, respect and honourable conduct, as between opponents in wartime.
- 5
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.”
- 6
historicalA tenure of lands by knightly service.
Etymology
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.
Forms
- plural
- chivalries
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