knightly

C1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈnaɪtli/ UK /ˈnaɪtli/ See IPA manual

Homophones

nightly /ˈnaɪtli/

Freq #59020

Meanings

1

adj
relating to knights, knighthood, or medieval chivalry

The exhibition includes armor used in knightly tournaments and ceremonies.
2

adj
befitting an ideal knight; brave, courteous, and honorable

His knightly defense of the stranger won the admiration of the court.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · relating to knights,... chivalricmedieval equestrian

2 adj · befitting an ideal knight;... chivalrous gallant courtly honorable

Opposites

unchivalrouscowardlydiscourteousdishonorable

Word family

Derived forms knightlinessunknightly

Related forms knight knighthood chivalry courtly

Etymology

From Middle English knyghtly, formed from knight + the adjectival suffix -ly. Knight descends from Old English cniht, originally 'boy, servant, or retainer'; its meaning narrowed in the Middle Ages to an armed mounted warrior and then a member of a chivalric order.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# knightly

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˈnaɪtli/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈnaɪtli/
**Frequency rank:** 59020

## Meanings
1. relating to knights, knighthood, or medieval chivalry
2. befitting an ideal knight; brave, courteous, and honorable

## Examples
- The exhibition includes armor used in knightly tournaments and ceremonies.
- His knightly defense of the stranger won the admiration of the court.

## Synonyms
- chivalric
- chivalrous
- gallant
- courtly
- honorable

## Antonyms
- unchivalrous
- cowardly
- discourteous
- dishonorable

## Derived Forms
- knightliness
- unknightly

## Related Forms
- knight
- knighthood
- chivalry
- courtly

## Etymology
From Middle English knyghtly, formed from knight + the adjectival suffix -ly. Knight descends from Old English cniht, originally 'boy, servant, or retainer'; its meaning narrowed in the Middle Ages to an armed mounted warrior and then a member of a chivalric order.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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