knight-errantry
noun
the behavior, vocation, or character of a knight-errant.
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knight-errantry
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knight errantry
knight errantrynounthe practices of a knight errant
knight-errantry
American
[nahyt-er-uhn-tree]
/ ˈnaɪtˈɛr ən tri /
noun
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knight-errantries
plural
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the behavior, vocation, or character of a knight-errant.
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quixotic conduct or action.
knight errantry
British
noun
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the practices of a knight errant
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quixotic behaviour or practices
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of knight-errantry
First recorded in 1645–55; knight-errant + -ry
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
All the cares of state, however, and all the deeds of knight-errantry to defend the wronged and helpless, could not restrain Theseus’ love of danger for the sake of danger.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Emma had forfeited her confidence, and about the third time of their meeting, she heard all Mrs. Elton’s knight-errantry on the subject.—
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
I, for my own part, follow the narrow track of knight-errantry; and for the exercise of it I despise riches, but not honour.
From The History of Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
O glorious restorer of knight-errantry," cried he, "I embrace these legs as I would the pillars of Hercules!
From The History of Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
In an age of artillery knight-errantry is doubtless more difficult, but it does not seem impossible.
From The Gentle Reader by Samuel McChord Crothers
Throughout his 60 years of public life, Winston Churchill has managed better than any other Briton to suffuse the political scene with the spirit of knight errantry.
From Time Magazine Archive
Wodehouse playing the part of Cervantes in affectionately revealing the absurdity of knight errantry in the new social circumstances.
From Time Magazine Archive
It was a letter breathing the spirit of knight errantry, such a letter as a love-sick boy of twenty would write.
From The Princess Galva A Romance by David Whitelaw
Mr. Shaw protests needlessly that he holds no brief for small States as such, and he most vehemently denies that we are bound to knight errantry on their behalf.
From New York Times, Current History, Vol 1, Issue 1 From the Beginning to March, 1915 With Index by Various
We were going on an adventure of knight errantry in which we might win our spurs.
From The House of the Wolf; a romance by Stanley John Weyman
I mean, those glancing insights, those adolescent knight-errantries, aren't they old news?
From Time Magazine Archive
Happily for her, he fancied that Cleve must have seen Margaret accidentally during some of his political knight-errantries in the county which he had contested with Sir Booth.
From The Tenants of Malory Volume 1 of 3 by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
I expect, too, that he was pretty dissatisfied with his knight-errantries.
From The Secret City by Sir Hugh Walpole
The rigid guardian of a blameless heart, So long revered, so long reputed wise, Is weak; with rank knight-errantries o’errun.
From Young's Night Thoughts With Life, Critical Dissertation and Explanatory Notes by Edward Young
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
