Meanings
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1
noun
the rank, title, or dignity of a knight, especially an honor conferred by a British monarch
The scientist received a knighthood for services to medicine.
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2
noun
knights considered collectively; historical
The king summoned the knighthood of the realm to support the campaign.
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3
noun
the qualities, duties, or ideals associated with being a knight; archaic
The romance treats courage and loyalty as the highest virtues of knighthood.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Middle English knyghthode and Old English cnihthad, literally the state or rank of a cniht, formed from knight + -hood. Old English cniht first meant 'boy' or 'servant' before developing the military and noble sense; -hood denotes a state, rank, or body.