Definition of Chivalry

1. Noun. Courtesy towards women.

Exact synonyms: Gallantry, Politesse
Generic synonyms: Courtesy, Good Manners

2. Noun. The medieval principles governing knighthood and knightly conduct.
Exact synonyms: Knightliness
Generic synonyms: Principle
Derivative terms: Chivalric, Chivalrous

Definition of Chivalry

1. n. A body or order of cavaliers or knights serving on horseback; illustrious warriors, collectively; cavalry.

Definition of Chivalry

1. Noun. (context: now rare historical) Cavalry; horsemen armed for battle. ¹

2. Noun. (obsolete) The fact or condition of being a knight; knightly skill, prowess. ¹

3. Noun. The ethical code of the knight prevalent in Medieval Europe, having such primary virtues as mercy towards the poor and oppressed, humility, honor, sacrifice, fear of God, faithfulness, courage and utmost graciousness and courtesy to ladies. ¹

4. Noun. Courtesy, respect and honorable conduct between opponents in wartime. ¹

5. Noun. Courteous behavior, especially that of men towards women. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Chivalry

1. knightly behavior and skill [n -RIES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Chivalry

chittiest
chittimwood
chitting
chitty
chitupa
chitupas
chiv
chivachie
chivachies
chivalric
chivalries
chivalrous
chivalrously
chivalrousness
chivaree
chivareed
chivareeing
chivarees
chivari
chivaried
chivaries
chivariing
chive
chived
chives
chivied
chivies
chiving

Literary usage of Chivalry

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann (1913)
"In these orders, wherein was realized the perfect fusion of the religious and the military spirit, chivalry reached its apogee. This heroic spirit had also ..."

2. Le Morte Darthur: Sir Thomas Malory's Book of King Arthur and His Noble by Thomas Malory, William Caxton (1901)
"And if it should seem as though the chivalry of our own times is reduced something less noble than that of old, when men risked life, and things dearer tb ..."

3. The History of Civilization: From the Fall of the Roman Empire to the French by Guizot (François), F. Guizot, William Hazlitt (1856)
"Of religious chivalry; 2. Of courtly chivalry. ISOLATION and idleness were, as you have seen, the most prominent features of the situation of the possessor ..."

4. Cyclopaedia of Political Science, Political Economy, and of the Political by John Joseph Lalor (1883)
"We find the spirit of chivalry, as the unselfish prompter of valiant deeds ... For instance, chivalry shed some light on the Arabs before Mohammed appeared. ..."

5. The Monthly Review by Ralph Griffiths (1825)
"The History of chivalry ; or, Knighthood and its Times. ... The histories of the crusades and of chivalry are kindred subjects. ..."

6. Military and Religious Life in the Middle Ages and the Period of the Renaissance by P. L. Jacob (1874)
"Origin of chivalry.—Its different Characteristics.—Chivalric Gallantry.—chivalry and Nobility. —IU Relations with the Church.—Education of the Children of ..."

7. History of Spanish Literature by George Ticknor (1863)
"ROMANCES OF chivalry. — The ballads of Spain belonged originally to the whole nation, but especially to its less cultivated portions. ..."

Other Resources:

Search for Chivalry on Dictionary.com!Search for Chivalry on Thesaurus.com!Search for Chivalry on Google!Search for Chivalry on Wikipedia!

Search