Chevalier
/ˌʃɛvəˈlɪər/noun
A knight or mounted warrior, especially in historical or ceremonial contexts.
Did you know?The word comes from the same ancient horse-root that gave English *cavalry* and *chivalry*, so one medieval battlefield idea split into honor, warfare, and nobility.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁éḱwos
“horse”
Latin
Latin
caballus
“horse, especially a workhorse or nag”
Late Latin
Latin
caballarius
“horseman; mounted soldier”
Old French
Old French
chevalier
“horseman; knight”
Middle English
English
chevaler / chevalier
“knight, mounted warrior”
Modern English
English
chevalier
“a knight or a man honored with knighthood”
Explore more surprising origins