chivalry

American  

[shiv-uhl-ree] / ˈʃɪv əl ri /

noun

chivalries plural

1. the sum of the ideal qualifications of a knight, including courtesy, generosity, valor, and dexterity in arms.

2. the rules and customs of medieval knighthood.

3. the medieval system or institution of knighthood.

4. a group of knights.

5. gallant warriors or gentlemen.

   fair ladies and noble chivalry.

6. Archaic. a chivalrous act; gallant deed.

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chivalry British  

/ ˈʃɪvəlrɪ /

noun

1. the combination of qualities expected of an ideal knight, esp courage, honour, justice, and a readiness to help the weak

2. courteous behaviour, esp towards women

3. the medieval system and principles of knighthood

4. knights, noblemen, etc, collectively

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chivalry Cultural  

1. The methods of training and standards of behavior for knights in the Middle Ages. The code of chivalry emphasized bravery, military skill, generosity in victory, piety, and courtesy to women. (Compare courtly love.)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unchivalry
  noun
• chivalric
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• chivalries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of chivalry

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English chivalrie, from Anglo-French, Old French chevalerie, from chevalier chevalier + -ie -y ³

Explanation

Men behaving courteously toward women — holding the door for them, offering them their jackets when it's cold — is called chivalry. Many women consider chivalry a lost art. Nice work, fellas. Cavalry (soldiers on horseback) and chivalry have the same root: the Medieval Latin word caballarius, meaning "horseman" or "knight." In the Middle Ages, a knight was expected to be brave, loyal, and to open the tavern door for his date. Picture a knight kneeling before a maiden and kissing her hand. It's a classic image of chivalry from the storybooks. Some women wonder whether chivalry has ever existed anywhere else.

Example Sentences

Indeed, hearing such jokes as “Be gentle — this NPC doesn’t have the ‘essential’ tag,” made me grateful for the quality hours I spent playing Chivalry & Sorcery in my 20s.

From New York Times • May 17, 2024

She is the author of several important books, including "Behind the Mask of Chivalry: The Making of the Second Ku Klux Klan" and "Freedom is Not Enough: The Opening of the American Workplace."

From Salon • Nov. 9, 2021

Chivalry in nonexistent in the world where the picture is set.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 11, 2021

"It's far better to deal with that stuff than to not deal with it," says Coogan, who will tackle sexual politics further in a forthcoming new Channel 4 comedy, Chivalry, with Sarah Solemani.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2020

“I want to have an Order of Chivalry, like the Order of the Garter, which goes about fighting against Might Would you like to be one of those?”

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White