ˈshivəlrē, -ri noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English chivalrie, from Old French chevalerie, from chevalier + -ie -y
1.
a. : mounted men at arms : heavy cavalry of the middle ages ; also : a medieval army whose strength was in its mounted men
b. : cavalry of ancient times
2. archaic
a. : the rank, position, or characteristics of a feudal knight ; especially : martial valor
b. : a gallant deed : exploit
c. : knightly skill : dexterity in arms
the glory of our Troy this day doth lie on his fair worth and single chivalry — Shakespeare
3. : a body of knights or illustrious mounted soldiers : gallant and distinguished warriors or brave gentlemen
Belgium's capital had gathered then her beauty and her chivalry — Lord Byron
4. : the dignity or system of knighthood : the spirit, usages, or manners of knighthood : the practice of knight-errantry
but Lancelot on him urged all the devisings of their chivalry — Alfred Tennyson
5. : the qualifications or character of the ideal knight of the age of chivalry according to the romantic traditions (as honor, protective kindness to the weak, generosity to foes, and gallantry) : chivalrousness
chivalry demanded of him that he be conspicuous through his gallant, courteous, and generous behavior — H.W.Van Loon
6. : the slaveholding class of southern society before the Civil War