the behavior, vocation, or character of a knight-errant.
quixotic conduct or action.
the practices of a knight errant
quixotic behaviour or practices
First recorded in 1645–55; knight-errant + -ry
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
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
"Certainly," replied the curate, "these cannot be books of knight-errantry, they are too small; you will find they are only poets."
From The History of Don Quixote de la Mancha by Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de
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 Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de
But one thing I would ask, sir, since I understand it is so much the being of knight-errantry to be in love, I presume you, who are of that profession, cannot be without a mistress.
From The History of Don Quixote de la Mancha by Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de
Wodehouse playing the part of Cervantes in affectionately revealing the absurdity of knight errantry in the new social circumstances.
From Time Magazine Archive
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
The offended knight then began to talk about knight errantry and its revival in the world, until finally the men tired of his discourse.
From The Story of Don Quixote by Choate, Florence
Cervantes ridiculed the fooleries and affectation ingrafted upon knight errantry.
From The Works of Samuel Johnson, Volume 05 Miscellaneous Pieces by Johnson, Samuel
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 Whitelaw, David
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 Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan
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 Young, Edward
I expect, too, that he was pretty dissatisfied with his knight-errantries.
From The Secret City by Walpole, Hugh, Sir
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.
