Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Chivalry
Chiv′al-ry
,Noun.
1.
A body or order of cavaliers or knights serving on horseback; illustrious warriors, collectively; cavalry.
“His Memphian chivalry.” Milton.
By his light
Did all the
To do brave acts.
Did all the
chivalry
of England move,To do brave acts.
Shakespeare
2.
The dignity or system of knighthood; the spirit, usages, or manners of knighthood; the practice of knight-errantry.
Dryden.
3.
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
On his fair worth and single
chivalry
. Shakespeare
4.
(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.
5.
Exploit.
[Obs.]
Sir P. Sidney.
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.
Blackstone.
Webster 1828 Edition
Chivalry
CHIVALRY
,Noun.
1.
Knighthood; a military dignity, founded on the service of soldiers on horseback, called knights; a service formerly deemed more honorable than service in infantry.2.
The qualifications of a knight, as valor and dexterity in arms.3.
The system of knighthood; the privileges, characteristics or manners of knights; the practice of knight-errantry, or the heroic defense of life and honor.4.
An adventure or exploit, as of a knight.5.
The body or order of knights.6.
In English law, a tenure of lands by knights service; that is, by the condition of performing service on horseback, or of performing some noble or military service to his lord. This was general or special; general, when the tenant held per servitium militare, without specification of the particular service; special, when the particular service was designated. When the tenant held only of the king, the tenure was regal; when he held of a common person, it was called common. This service was also grand sergeantry, as when the tenant was bound to perform service to the king in his own person; and petit sergeantry, when he was bound to yield to the king annually some small thing, as a sword or dagger. Chivalry that might be held of a common person, was called escuage, scutagium, or shield service.Court of chivalry, a court formerly held before the Lord High Constable and Earl Marshal of England, having cognizance of contracts and other matters relating to deeds of arms and war. It had jurisdiction both of civil and criminal causes, but no power to enforce its decisions by fine or imprisonment, not being a court of record. It is now nearly extinct.
Definition 2024
chivalry
chivalry
English
Noun
chivalry (usually uncountable, plural chivalries)
- (now rare, historical) Cavalry; horsemen armed for battle.
- 1999, George RR Martin, A Clash of Kings, Bantam 2011, p. 529:
- ‘Most of the lords who rode with Lord Renly to Storm's End have gone over banner-and-blade to Stannis, with all their chivalry.’
- 1999, George RR Martin, A Clash of Kings, Bantam 2011, p. 529:
- (obsolete) The fact or condition of being a knight; knightly skill, prowess.
- 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 utmost graciousness and courtesy to ladies.
- Courtesy, respect and honourable conduct between opponents in wartime.
- Courteous behaviour, especially that of men towards women.
- (Britain, law, historical) A tenure of lands by knightly service.
Related terms
Translations
ethical code
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Courteous behavior, especially that of men towards women
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