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Glite Dictionary
🛡️ Of knights 🤵 Chivalrous
knightly

knightly

1 8.0
About knights and the Middle Ages of honor and bravery
  • adjective
  • /ˈnaɪtli/
  • Archaic
translation icon : caballeresco
  • The knightly code of conduct emphasized bravery, courtesy, and loyalty to one's lord.

Examples

  • Her role in the narrative can be equated to that of medieval maidens, who often serve as catalysts for knightly adventures.

    Academic text (2003)

  • You, Durbeyfield, are directly descended... from the knightly house of the d'Urbervilles.

    Tess (1979)

  • We're true descendants of the knightly d'Urbervilles.

    Tess (1979)

  • A knightly quest?

    The Green Knight (2021)

  • Today the curios of his period are worth their weight in gold, and all the knightly traditions of the land cluster around his name and reign.

    Blog text (22)

  • How long are we going to outgrow our attachment to this medieval form of knightly combat where wars are fought by warriors in isolated battles?

    Blog text (22)

  • However, chivalry as we know it—the knightly code of honor—apparently began in 12th century France according to Joseph Campbell:

    Blog text (4)

  • Jimena addresses her husband with a knightly title and epithet, introduces herself and those with her, summarizes the circumstances, and requests words of strength and solace.

    Academic text (1991)

  • Or maybe Sancho was sleeping in the orchard and this pacing of my uncle's was some knightly vigil he had to keep to honor a vow.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • The hero embarked on a knightly quest to save the trapped princess from the dragon.

Synonyms

noble
vsknightly
274 3.6

Having high moral qualities and kind intentions

focuses on historical social and cultural relation not only moral quality
gentlemanly
vsknightly
17 4.4

Polite and considerate in a calm, respectful way

refers to medieval warrior customs rather than later polite society
chivalrous
vsknightly
15 7.5

Showing polite, protective, and brave behavior like a knight

focuses on those personal actions rather than historical relation
medieval
vsknightly
14 6.5

Having knights, castles, and a system where lords held power

is specific to warrior ideals rather than the whole period
gallant
vsknightly
  • Literature
3 6.5

Having a calm, proud, and impressive appearance

emphasises historical relation and feudal context rather than grand manner
chivalric
vsknightly
  • Literature
1 9.9

Having the courage, honour, and manners of knights in the Middle Ages

is identical in meaning but more common as the everyday adjective

Surface Forms

knightly positive
knightlier comparative
knightliest superlative

Morphology

knightly = knight (transparent) = knight + ly

The adjective is a regular formation from 'knight' + '-ly', meaning 'characteristic of or relating to knights', which is directly inferable by learners.

Etymology

The word knightly comes from knight plus the ending -ly. The old word knight originally meant a 'young man' or 'servant' and later became the name for a horse rider and warrior in the Middle Ages, so knightly describes things connected to those men and that time.