Cavalier
/ˌkæv.əˈlɪr/noun
A knight or gentleman; often associated with a carefree or nonchalant attitude.
Did you know?Originally tied to the Latin term for 'horse,' the word reflects a time when knights were revered, yet it also evolved to describe those who were dismissive or indifferent—hinting at a duality of valor and arrogance.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ḱeḱ-
“to ride”
Latin
Latin
caballus
“horse”
Old French
Old French
cavalier
“a horseman; knight”
16th Century
English
cavalier
“a gentleman or knight, often with a connotation of arrogance or swagger”
17th Century
English
cavalier
“specifically used to refer to supporters of King Charles I during the English Civil War, highlighting royalist attitudes and flair”