knight´like´

knight «nyt», noun, verb.

–n.

1. in the Middle Ages: a) a man raised to an honorable military rank and pledged to do good deeds. After serving as a page and squire, a man was made a knight by the king or a lord. b) a military servant of a lord, especially a mounted servant.

2. (in modern times) a man raised to an honorable rank because of great achievement or service. A British knight ranks just below a baronet, and his rank and title are not hereditary. A man named John Smith becomes Sir John Smith, or Sir John, as a knight. Abbr: Kt.

3. Figurative. a man devoted to the service or protection of a lady: »

In all your quarrels Will I be your knight. This I will do, dear damsel, for your sake (Tennyson).

SYNONYM(S): cavalier.

4. a person in ancient history, mythology, or legend, considered to hold a position similar to that of the medieval knight, such as the equites, who were mainly financiers, and were next below senators.

5. a member or holder of a rank or degree in any order or society that bears the official title of Knights.

6. a piece in the game of chess, usually having the figure of a horse's head. It moves two squares horizontally and one square vertically or one square horizontally and two squares vertically from the square it occupies, whether or not any of the intervening squares is occupied.

–v.t.

to raise to the rank of knight: »

He was knighted by the queen. A soldier, by the honour-giving hand Of Coeur-de-lion knighted in the field (Shakespeare).

╂[Old English cniht boy]

–knight´like´, adjective.

Usage See usage note under Sir. (Cf. ↑Sir)