cavalry

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The military arm of service that fights while riding horses.

   Two hundred heavily-armed cavalry rode behind the Audley standard, while close at their heels came the Duke of Lancaster with a glittering train, heralds tabarded with the royal arms riding three deep upon cream-colored chargers in front of him.

2. 2
   noun

   A source of rescue, especially in an emergency.

   Call in the cavalry.

3. 3
   noun

   a highly mobile army unit

4. 4
   noun

   troops trained to fight on horseback

From Middle French cavalerie, in turn from Italian cavalleria. Recorded in English from the 1540s. Doublet of chivalry.

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