knighthood

[nahyt-hoo d]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR knighthood ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the rank or dignity of a knight: to confer knighthood upon him.

the profession or vocation of a knight.

knightly character or qualities.

the body of knights.

RELATED WORDS

gallantry, courtliness

Nearby words

Origin of knighthood

before 900; Middle English knighthod, Old English cnihthād. See knight, -hood

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for knighthood

At the end of his life, after the AFI dinner, the queen offered, and he accepted, a knighthood.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After his knighthood, I stop by to see him and call him Sir Alfred.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Prime Minister David Cameron responded by saying the victory should be marked in truly British style: with a knighthood.
Andy Murray Survived Dunblane School Massacre Before Winning Wimbledon|Nico Hines|July 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“I hear that a new order of Knighthood is on the tapis,” the letter reads.
The Oxford English Dictionary: The Original Crowdsourcer|Josh Dzieza|April 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST

He should have been awarded a knighthood, even possibly the Garter.
The Real James Bond: Ian Fleming’s Commandos Reviewed|Michael Korda|November 19, 2011|DAILY BEAST
When he was on his death-bed, in 1869, the empty title of knighthood was conferred upon him.
The Explorers of Australia and their Life-work|Ernest Favenc
His knighthood was conferred with the greatest splendor and all the formalities of the time.
Cameos from English History, from Rollo to Edward II|Charlotte Mary Yonge
He came wearing his armour, girt with his sword, and with his golden spurs of knighthood on his heels.
Cassell's History of England, Vol. I (of 9)|Anonymous
Here the young warrior was invested with the badge of knighthood.
Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 1 (of 2)|John Roby
He, too, after his own crude fashion, had his order of knighthood as the reward of military prowess.
Alamo Ranch|Sarah Warner Brooks

British Dictionary definitions for knighthood

knighthood

noun

the order, dignity, or rank of a knight

the qualities of a knight; knightliness

knights collectively

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for knighthood

knighthood

Old English cnihthad "the period between childhood and manhood;" see knight (n.) + -hood. Sense of "rank or dignity of a knight" is from c.1300, and probably is an independent formation.

knighthood

noun

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of knighthood

Examples from the Web for knighthood

knighthood

noun

knighthood