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Glite Dictionary
Cavalier

Cavalier

22 9.9
A person who supported King Charles I in the English Civil War
  • noun
  • /ˌkævəˈlɪr/
  • Archaic
translation icon : realista
  • We've had, you can go back to the time of King Stephen, but people always think of Oliver Cromwell and the the, the Cavaliers and the Roundheads.

Examples

  • A second major change was that the Cavalier Parliament showed no willingness to grant liberty of conscience to dissenters, as had been promised.

  • Young Edward Waverley is English, but he is descended from the Cavaliers, who sided with Charles I in the English Civil Wars.

    Academic text (2003)

  • Some people were known as 'Round Heads' and others as 'Cavaliers.'

    Academic text (2013)

  • Neglected by all... ... save a few loyal cavaliers..

    The Exile (1947)

  • During the English Civil War, the cavalier fought fiercely for the royalist cause.

  • The cavalier dressed in elaborate clothing to show loyalty to King Charles I.

  • In history class, we learned about the cavalier supporters of the king during the 1640s.

Synonyms

Royalist
vsCavalier
1 9.8

A person who supported King Charles I and the monarchy during the English Civil War

is an alternative historical label for the same type of supporter

Compounds

cavalier hat
  • Archaic
9.9

A soft felt head covering with a wide flexible brim and a long feather

Surface Forms

Cavalier singular
Cavaliers plural

Etymology

Cavalier comes from old French cavalier, which meant 'horseman' and comes from Latin caballus meaning 'horse', the same root you see in cavalry. Because many royal supporters in the English Civil War fought on horseback, they were called 'Cavaliers', and that is why Cavalier names the supporters of King Charles I.