CHIVALRY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does chivalry mean? 

• CHIVALRY (noun)
  The noun CHIVALRY has 2 senses:

1. courtesy towards women

2. the medieval principles governing knighthood and knightly conduct

  Familiarity information: CHIVALRY used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CHIVALRY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Courtesy towards women

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

chivalry; gallantry; politesse

Hypernyms ("chivalry" is a kind of...):

courtesy; good manners (a courteous manner)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The medieval principles governing knighthood and knightly conduct

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

chivalry; knightliness

Hypernyms ("chivalry" is a kind of...):

principle (a rule or standard especially of good behavior)

Derivation:

chivalric (characteristic of the time of chivalry and knighthood in the Middle Ages)

chivalrous (being attentive to women like an ideal knight)

 Context examples 

It is a name of heroism and renown; of kings, princes, and knights; and seems to breathe the spirit of chivalry and warm affections.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Perchance Sir Nigel, with his love of all the dying usages of chivalry, might have contrived some strange ordeal or feat of arms by which his love should be put to the test.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He was deeply read in books of chivalry and romance.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Of the French officers they could not have spoken with more chivalry, as of worthy foemen, but the nation was an abomination to them.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I do not think that the best embodiment of chivalry, the realization of the handsomest and most romantic figure ever imagined by painter, could have said this, with a more impressive and affecting dignity than the plain old Doctor did.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Gentlemen, which means boys, be courteous to the old maids, no matter how poor and plain and prim, for the only chivalry worth having is that which is the readiest to pay deference to the old, protect the feeble, and serve womankind, regardless of rank, age, or color.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Sir Nigel gave a long sigh as he came back from the dreams of chivalry and hardihood into which this strange woman's words had wafted him.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I heard of the slothful Asiatics, of the stupendous genius and mental activity of the Grecians, of the wars and wonderful virtue of the early Romans—of their subsequent degenerating—of the decline of that mighty empire, of chivalry, Christianity, and kings.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

So through the sunny winter day the chivalry of England poured down through the dark pass of Roncesvalles to the plains of Spain.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Perchance it would be well that we should ask him whither he rides, for it may be that he is one who desires to advance himself in chivalry.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)