cavalry
[kav-uh l-ree]
- Military.
- the part of a military force composed of troops that serve on horseback.
- mounted soldiers collectively.
- the motorized, armored units of a military force organized for maximum mobility.
- horsemen, horses, etc., collectively.
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Origin of cavalry
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for cavalry
Contemporary Examples
A newsagent further down on Nathan Road told The Daily Beast that he recognized a number of retired cops in the cavalry charge.
A similar pattern occurred when metal swords, armor, cavalry charges and dense infantry ranks developed.
He fought with the Soviets, then led the cavalry and B-52 bombers to rout the Taliban.
The Warlord Who Defines Afghanistan: An Excerpt From Bruce Riedel’s ’What We Won’Bruce Riedel
July 27, 2014
Dostum famously led Uzbek cavalry charges supported by U.S. B-52 bombers to defeat the Taliban.
The Warlord Who Defines Afghanistan: An Excerpt From Bruce Riedel’s ’What We Won’Bruce Riedel
July 27, 2014
They rode as far as Tours on the Loire until stopped by the French cavalry of Charles Martel.
Historical Examples
Here they all dismounted, except a small body, which acted as cavalry.
A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis MarionWilliam Dobein James
Tarleton advanced, with his infantry in the centre, and his cavalry on the wings.
A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis MarionWilliam Dobein James
He determined on the latter, and put his four troops of cavalry in motion.
A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis MarionWilliam Dobein James
The force of cavalry was but small, being conveyed in a single transport.
Stories from ThucydidesH. L. Havell
On the left the cavalry again demonstrated the power of their arm.
The Story of the Malakand Field ForceSir Winston S. Churchill
cavalry
- (esp formerly) the part of an army composed of mounted troops
- the armoured element of a modern army
- (as modifier)a cavalry unit; a cavalry charge
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Word Origin
C16: from French cavallerie, from Italian cavalleria, from cavaliere horseman; see cavalier
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for cavalry
n.
1540s, from Middle French cavalerie (16c.), from Italian cavalleria "mounted militia," from cavaliere (see cavalier (n.)). An Old English word for it was horshere.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper