CHIVALRY • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Chivalry

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/ʃˈɪvəlri/ Listen

noun

Chivalry n.

A body or order of cavaliers or knights serving on horseback; illustrious warriors, collectively; cavalry. "His Memphian chivalry." "By his light Did all the chivalry of England move, To do brave acts."

The dignity or system of knighthood; the spirit, usages, or manners of knighthood; the practice of knight-errantry.

The qualifications or character of knights, as valor, dexterity in arms, courtesy, etc. "The glory of our Troy this day doth lie On his fair worth and single chivalry."

(Eng. Law) A tenure of lands by knight's service; that is, by the condition of a knight's performing service on horseback, or of performing some noble or military service to his lord.

Exploit. (Obs.)

Court of chivalry, a court formerly held before the lord high constable and earl marshal of England as judges, having cognizance of contracts and other matters relating to deeds of arms and war.

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Etymology of 'Chivalry'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Chivalry" Quotes from Famous Books

... the war, had taken the same opportunity to disband themselves. By descending Strath-Tay, therefore, one of the most convenient passes from the Highlands, Montrose had only to present himself in the Lowlands, in order to rouse the slumbering spirit of chivalry and of loyalty which animated the gentlemen to the north of the Forth. The possession of these districts, with or without a victory, would give him the command of a wealthy and fertile part of the kingdom, and would enable him, by regular pay, to place his army ...

— A Legend of Montrose • Sir Walter Scott

... into the water head foremost to please you?" with impatient wrath. "They used to call that chivalry long ago. I call it ...

— Molly Bawn • Margaret Wolfe Hamilton

... possible. It is unavoidable, I know, but it can only add to her unhappiness. I am sure, signore, that you will do your best to conclude the inquiry without delay. Forgive me for saying this. But I know Sicily, and know that I can always rely on the chivalry of Sicilian gentlemen where an ...

— The Call of the Blood • Robert Smythe Hichens

... Minister fawned more assiduously upon Bonaparte than this hero of chivalry. It could not escape notice, but need not have alarmed our great man, as was the case. The prefect of the palace was ordered to give authentic information concerning Edelsheim's moral and political character. He applied to the police commissary, ...

— The Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte • Bourrienne, Constant, and Stewarton

... that "Cervantes sneered Spain's chivalry away?" I know not; and the author of such a line scarcely deserves to be remembered. How the rage for scribbling tempts people at the present day to write about lands and nations of which they know nothing, or worse than nothing. Vaya! ...

— The Bible in Spain • George Borrow

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