Chivalrous
/ˈʃɪv.əl.rəs/noun
Having the qualities traditionally associated with chivalry, especially courtesy, honor, and gallantry.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a term for a horse, because medieval knighthood was literally built around mounted warriors—so “chivalry” began as the language of cavalry and elite force.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ekwos
“horse”
Late Latin
Latin
caballus
“horse, especially a workhorse or nag”
Old French
Old French
cheval
“horse”
Old French
Old French
chevalerie
“knighthood; mounted warriors; the institution of chivalry”
Middle English
English
chivalrie
“knightly order, mounted warrior class, code of knightly conduct”
Middle English
English
chivalrous
“having the qualities of chivalry; courteous and gallant”