chivalrous
chivalrous Lexical Profile
chivalrous Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Courteous, gallant, and attentive, especially held as a standard of polite and respectful behavior toward women.
"Holding the door open for the elderly passenger was a thoughtful and chivalrous gesture."
Relating to the historical medieval institution of chivalry, or marked by the idealized qualities of a knight, such as courage, honor, magnanimity, and fairness toward opponents.
"Medieval romances often celebrated the chivalrous deeds of knights errant who defended the vulnerable."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Chivalrous' generally describes courteous, gallant behavior in everyday interpersonal interactions, whereas 'chivalric' is reserved for historical or literary references to the medieval institution of knighthood.
• Rhymes for chivalrous
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed into Middle English from Old French 'chevalerous', derived from 'chevalier' (knight or horseman), which ultimately traces back to Late Latin 'caballarius' (horseman), from 'caballus' (horse).