chiv·al·ry P Pronunciation Key (sh v l-r )
n. pl. chiv·al·ries
1. The medieval system, principles, and customs of knighthood.
2.
a. The qualities idealized by knighthood, such as bravery, courtesy, honor, and gallantry toward women.
b. A manifestation of any of these qualities.
3. A group of knights or gallant gentlemen.
[Middle English chivalrie, from Old French chevalerie, from chevalier, knight. See chevalier.]
Word History: The Age of Chivalry was also the age of the horse. Bedecked in elaborate armor and other trappings, horses were certainly well dressed, although they might have wished for lighter loads. That the horse should be featured so prominently during the Age of Chivalry is etymologically appropriate, because chivalry goes back to the Latin word caballus, ?horse, especially a riding horse or packhorse.? Borrowed from French, as were so many other important words having to do with medieval English culture, the English word chivalry is first recorded in works composed around the beginning of the 14th century and is found in several senses, including ?a body of armored mounted warriors serving a lord? and ?knighthood as a ceremonially conferred rank in the social system.? Our modern sense, ?the medieval system of knighthood,? could not exist until the passage of several centuries had allowed the perspective for such a conceptualization, with this sense being recorded first in 1765.
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
chivalry
Chiv"al*ry, n. [F. chevalerie, fr. chevalier knight, OF., horseman. See Chevalier, and cf. Cavalry .] 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 chivalry of England move, To do brave acts. --Shak.
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 chivalry. --Shak.
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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
chivalry
n 1: courtesy towards women [syn: gallantry, politesse] 2: the medieval principles of knighthood
Source: WordNet ® 1.6, © 1997 Princeton University
i believe that for the most part that chivalry is dead. the one exception that i still find to be true is definition 1, in the last definition above.
chivalry n 1: courtesy towards women [syn: gallantry, politesse]
admittedly not many M/men still practice this, at least not around here, but i have always tried to treat a L/lady like a L/lady until S/she proves to me that S/she is not a L/lady. E/every G/girl/W/woman that i have ever spent anytime with, know's that i always try to open all doors for T/them. i'll help T/them with T/their coats, i'll even offer T/them my coat if T/they don't have one and T/they show the slightest sign of being cold.
any F/female who has ever been with me knows that T/they were under my protection at all times! i'm sorry for those of Y/you who are going to think this is stupid, but when i'm with a F/female, H/her saftey is my responsibility and i will give my life to save H/hers! even if i have just met H/her.
to do any less would be to fail as a M/man! (i guess my chauvinistic side is showing again)
lil blue fae *jamie*
