knightly

[nahyt-lee]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR knightly ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

characteristic of a knight; noble, courageous, and generous: knightly deeds.

being or resembling a knight.

of or belonging to a knight: knightly duties.

composed of knights.

adverb

in a manner befitting a knight.

Origin of knightly

before 1000; Middle English; Old English cnihtlīc. See knight, -ly

Related formsknight·li·ness, noun

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

Related Words for knightly

accommodating, affable, amiable, amicable, approachable, beneficent, benevolent, benign, benignant, big-hearted, bland, charitable, chivalrous, civil, compassionate, complaisant, congenial, considerate, cordial, courteous

Examples from the Web for knightly

Contemporary Examples of knightly

The Daily Pic: The Met's Cloisters branch turns 75, and shows off knightly opulence.
Unicorn, the Luxury Meat
Blake Gopnik
July 16, 2013

Historical Examples of knightly

“Queens of Beauty” presided at these contests of knightly skill and daring.
English Villages
P. H. Ditchfield
There was much pomp and ceremony attached to these knightly exercises.
English Villages
P. H. Ditchfield
You will remember, Sir John, that you pledged me your knightly word for that.
The Sea-Hawk
Raphael Sabatini
And now, says Westcote, 'it glories in the knightly tribe of Champernowne.'
Devon, Its Moorlands, Streams and Coasts
Rosalind Northcote
His six elder sons did likewise, and all were famed for their knightly prowess.
King Arthur's Knights
Henry Gilbert

British Dictionary definitions for knightly

knightly

adjective

of, relating to, resembling, or befitting a knight

Derived Formsknightliness, noun

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 knightly

adj.

Old English cnihtlic; see knight (n.) + -ly (1).