MEANING
The ideals and customs associated with medieval knighthood, especially honor, courage, and courteous conduct.
Use it for
honor against expediency; warrior ethics; idealized conductExpose the distance between a code and the choices made under pressure.
Words that belong together
- code of chivalry
- ideals of chivalry
- chivalry in battle
On the page
His chivalry lasted until the enemy offered ransom.
The queen demanded a form of chivalry that protected farmers as well as nobles.
Songs praised their chivalry but omitted the burned villages.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- chivalry
Usage notes
Primary category: fantasy. An idealized code rather than proof that historical knights behaved well; the narrower courtesy-to-women sense is separate. Mass noun in this sense; no ordinary plural.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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