chivalry English · revision 2365

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈʃɪvəlɹi/, /ˈt͡ʃɪvəlɹi/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|chivalrie]],^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995) [[bor|fro|chevalerie|t=knighthood, horsemanship, cavalry]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) from ''chevalier'' “knight”,^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) [[der|la-med|caballārius|t=horseman]],^(Etymonline) from Latin ''caballus'' “horse, nag”.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Mounted, fully armed fighting men; a body of knights (c1300).^(OED 1989)^(AHD)^(Etymonline) Barnhart dates the earlier form ''chevalrie'' to before 1300.^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word goes back to the horse,^(AHD) and first meant a body of mounted warriors and knighthood as a rank.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) From the late 14th century it also meant the code of knightly conduct, emphasizing honour, valour, generosity and courtly manners.^(Etymonline) The modern historical sense “the medieval system of knighthood” is first recorded in 1765,^(AHD)^(Etymonline) and today the word usually means courteous, gallant behaviour, especially of men towards women.^(AHD)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1297 – knighthood, the character of a knight.^(OED 1989)

+ * c1300 – mounted men-at-arms.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1375 – a body of men-at-arms.^(OED 1989)

+ * late 14th century – the knightly code of honour.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1765 – the medieval system of knighthood.^(AHD)

+ * 1816 – gallant gentlemen.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The qualities of the ideal knight, such as courage, courtesy, honour and generosity; chivalrous conduct.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The medieval system, principles and customs of knighthood.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A group of knights or gallant gentlemen.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+ # Courteous behaviour, especially of men towards women.^(AHD)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(archaic)'' Mounted men-at-arms; martial valour or knightly skill.^(MW Collegiate)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[chivalric]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[cavalier]]

+ * [[chevalier]]

+ * [[chivalrous]]

+ * [[cavalry]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}