chivalry

Meaning

1. (archaic, historical, uncountable, usually) Cavalry; horsemen armed for battle.
2. (obsolete, uncountable, usually) The fact or condition of being a knight; knightly skill, prowess.
3. (uncountable, usually) The ethical code of the knight prevalent in Medieval Europe, having such primary virtues as mercy towards the poor and oppressed, humility, honour, sacrifice, fear of God, faithfulness, courage and courtesy to ladies.
4. (uncountable, usually) Courtesy, respect and honourable conduct, as between opponents in wartime.
5. (uncountable, usually) Courteous behaviour, especially that of men towards women.
6. (UK, historical, uncountable, usually) A tenure of lands by knightly service.

Synonyms

gallantry

generosity

heroism

knightliness

bravery

cavalry

politesse

chivalrous spirit

essence

courage

complaisance

gentility

gentleness

graciousness

comity

humaneness

knighthood

civility

ladyship

loftiness

magnanimity

nobility

nobleness

noblesse

politeness

cousteousness

prowess

refinement

tactfulness

urbanity

valor

urbanness

samurai code

courtesy

delicacy

Translations

Ritterlichkeit

cavalleria

chevalerie

caballerosidad

caballería

Rittertum

ευγένεια

ridderschap

ridderlijkheid

cavalheirismo

Großzügigkeit

galanterie

galanterie

ιπποτισμός

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈʃɪvəlɹi/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: chivalerie

In summary

From Middle English chivalerie, a late 13th century loan from Old French chevalerie (“knighthood, chivalry, nobility, cavalry”) (11th century), the -erie (“-ery”) abstract of chevaler (“knight, horseman”), from Medieval Latin caballarius (“horseman, knight”), from caballus (“horse”). Medieval Latin caballaria (“knighthood, status or fief of a knight”) dates to the 12th century. Doublet of cavalry.