cavalry

American  

[kav-uhl-ree] / ˈkæv əl ri /

noun

plural

cavalries

1. Military.

   1. the part of a military force composed of troops that serve on horseback.

   2. mounted soldiers collectively.

   3. the motorized, armored units of a military force organized for maximum mobility.

2. horsemen, horses, etc., collectively.

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cavalry British  

/ ˈkævəlrɪ /

noun

1. (esp formerly) the part of an army composed of mounted troops

2. the armoured element of a modern army

3. ( as modifier )

   a cavalry unit

   a cavalry charge

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Other Word Forms

• cavalryman noun

Etymology

Origin of cavalry

1585–95; syncopated variant of cavallery < Italian cavalleria, derivative of cavaliere cavalier

Example Sentences

A wannabe cavalry unit, anchored in the center by an agent on a white horse, swept through a soccer field where children were attending day camp just minutes before.

From Los Angeles Times

Opposition supporters marched behind horsemen dressed as hussars -- Hungary's historic light cavalry formation.

From Barron's

Mr. Hertling served as the operations officer of a cavalry squadron spearheading the advance into Iraq.

From The Wall Street Journal

Previously, Athenian military enterprise had depended on a small elite, men wealthy enough to provide horses to serve as cavalry or to equip themselves as hoplites, a type of armored infantry.

From The Wall Street Journal

In one screen narrating the Battle of Yashima, Minamoto clan cavalry descend through a narrow pass to storm a Taira clan fortress.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• squadron