chivalry
Definitions
The medieval knightly system and its code of bravery, honor, and courtesy
中世纪的骑士制度及其勇敢、荣誉、礼让的准则；骑士精神
Courteous, gallant behavior, especially by a man toward a woman
彬彬有礼、殷勤的举止，尤指男性对女性的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedBuilt exactly like cavalry — cheval (horse, the French form of Latin caballus) + -ry — but it traveled the French road. It first named the body of mounted knights, then rose to mean the whole knightly ideal: courage, honor, loyalty, and courtesy. So at root chivalry is just 'horsemanship,' lifted into a moral code.
Root caballus still carries 6 more wordsWhy It Means This
It helps to see chivalry and cavalry side by side: they are the same word, one French, one Italian, both meaning 'horse-soldiery.' Knights were the mounted elite, and over time the qualities expected of them — courage, honor, protecting the weak — detached from the horse entirely. Today 'chivalry' usually means nothing more than a man holding a door or pulling out a chair.
Common Collocations
- 1.code of chivalry骑士准则
- 2.age of chivalry骑士时代
- 3.chivalry is dead骑士精神已死
- 4.act of chivalry绅士之举
Example Sentences
- 1.
The knights swore to uphold the code of chivalry.
- 2.
He opened the door for her, a small act of chivalry.
- 3.
Some say chivalry is dead, but kindness never goes out of style.