CultureSeptember 7, 2026

chivalry

SHIV-ul-ree

Definition

A medieval knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code, or the romanticized behavior and attitudes associated with it.

Etymology

Derived from the Old French word 'chevalerie,' meaning 'knighthood' or 'cavalry,' rooted in 'cheval' (horse). It entered English in the 14th century to describe the complex code of conduct expected of knights.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the heroic ideals of knighthood, noting that if reading such romantic stories can influence Don Quixote, then literature might arguably influence readers today.

Dangerous Books and Why Vice Is a Virtue in Literature

Read the full article ↗

Psychology Today

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