chivalry

C2 Topic:Ethics & Social Judgment

US /ˈʃɪvəlɹi/ UK /ˈʃɪvəlri/ See IPA manual

Freq #18348

Meanings

1

noun
honourable, generous, and courteous conduct, especially toward someone perceived as vulnerable

He regarded giving up his seat as a simple act of chivalry.
2

noun
the ideals and code of conduct traditionally associated with medieval knights

The romance celebrates chivalry while also exposing the violence of feudal warfare.
3

noun
historical: knights or mounted warriors considered collectively

The king summoned the chivalry of the realm for the campaign.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · honourable, generous, and... gallantry courtesy consideration

2 noun · the ideals and code of... knightly codeknightlinesshonour

3 noun · historical: knights or... knightscavalryhorsemen

More generosity

Opposites

discourtesy cowardice boorishness dishonour

Word family

Derived forms chivalricchivalrous chivalrously

Related forms knight cavalry chevalier gallantry

Etymology

From Middle English chivalerie, borrowed from Old French chevalerie, 'knighthood, cavalry, or knightly conduct.' It derives from chevalier, 'knight or horseman,' ultimately from Late Latin caballarius, from caballus, 'horse.' The word moved from mounted warriors and their status to the ethical ideals attributed to them.

Topics

Ethics & Social Judgment

External links

# chivalry

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈʃɪvəlɹi/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈʃɪvəlri/
**Frequency rank:** 18348

## Meanings
1. honourable, generous, and courteous conduct, especially toward someone perceived as vulnerable
2. the ideals and code of conduct traditionally associated with medieval knights
3. historical: knights or mounted warriors considered collectively

## Examples
- He regarded giving up his seat as a simple act of chivalry.
- The romance celebrates chivalry while also exposing the violence of feudal warfare.
- The king summoned the chivalry of the realm for the campaign.

## Synonyms
- gallantry
- courtesy
- knightliness
- honour
- generosity

## Antonyms
- discourtesy
- cowardice
- boorishness
- dishonour

## Derived Forms
- chivalric
- chivalrous
- chivalrously

## Related Forms
- knight
- cavalry
- chevalier
- gallantry

## Etymology
From Middle English chivalerie, borrowed from Old French chevalerie, 'knighthood, cavalry, or knightly conduct.' It derives from chevalier, 'knight or horseman,' ultimately from Late Latin caballarius, from caballus, 'horse.' The word moved from mounted warriors and their status to the ethical ideals attributed to them.

## Topics
- Ethics & Social Judgment

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