cavalier

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   showing an arrogant or dismissive lack of proper concern

   The contractor's cavalier attitude toward safety alarmed the inspectors.

2. 2
   noun

   historical or literary: a gallant, courtly gentleman, especially one serving as a woman's escort

   She arrived at the ball accompanied by a young cavalier in uniform.

3. 3
   noun

   a supporter of King Charles I during the English Civil War

   The estate belonged to a Cavalier who fought for the king.

Borrowed through Middle French cavalier from Italian cavaliere, 'horseman or knight,' ultimately from Late Latin caballarius, from caballus, 'horse.' The courtly horseman produced the gallant noun and the English royalist name Cavalier; the adjective later emphasized the supposed hauteur and carelessness of such gentlemen.

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