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View synonyms for

knight

1

[nahyt]

noun

  1. a mounted soldier serving under a feudal superior in the Middle Ages.

  2. (in Europe in the Middle Ages) a man, usually of noble birth, who after an apprenticeship as page and squire was raised to honorable military rank and bound to chivalrous conduct.

  3. any person of a rank similar to that of the medieval knight.

  4. a man upon whom the nonhereditary dignity of knighthood is conferred by a sovereign because of personal merit or for services rendered to the country. In Great Britain he holds the rank next below that of a baronet, and the title Sir is prefixed to the Christian name, as in Sir John Smith.

  5. a member of any order or association that designates its members as knights.

  6. Chess.a piece shaped like a horse's head, moved one square vertically and then two squares horizontally or one square horizontally and two squares vertically.

  7. Nautical.

    1. a short vertical timber having on its head a sheave through which running rigging is rove.

    2. any other fitting or erection bearing such a sheave.



verb (used with object)

  1. to dub or make (a man) a knight.

Knight

2

[nahyt]

noun

  1. Eric, 1897–1943, U.S. novelist, born in England.

  2. Frank Hyneman 1885–1972, U.S. economist.

knight

1

/ Բɪ /

noun

    1. (originally) a person who served his lord as a mounted and heavily armed soldier

    2. (later) a gentleman invested by a king or other lord with the military and social standing of this rank

  1. (in modern times) a person invested by a sovereign with a nonhereditary rank and dignity usually in recognition of personal services, achievements, etc. A British knight bears the title Sir placed before his name, as in Sir Winston Churchill

  2. a chess piece, usually shaped like a horse's head, that moves either two squares horizontally and one square vertically or one square horizontally and two squares vertically

  3. a heroic champion of a lady or of a cause or principle

  4. a member of the Roman class of the equites

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to make (a person) a knight; dub

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Knight

2

/ Բɪ /

noun

  1. Dame Laura. 1887–1970, British painter, noted for her paintings of Gypsies, the ballet, and the circus

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

knight

  1. A mounted warrior in Europe in the Middle Ages. (See chivalry.)

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Over the centuries, knighthood gradually lost its military functions, but it has survived as a social distinction in Europe, especially in England.
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Other Word Forms

  • knightless adjective
  • unknighted adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of knight1

before 900; Middle English; Old English cniht boy, manservant; cognate with German, Dutch knecht servant
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Word History and Origins

Origin of knight1

Old English cniht servant; related to Old High German kneht boy
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The former Wigan Warriors star earlier this week became the first rugby league player to be knighted in the sport's 130-year history.

From

A knight is styled "Sir" and their wife "Lady".

From

News of former England football captain Beckham becoming a 'Sir' emerged last week, while rugby league legend Boston was knighted on Monday.

From

In 2014 Sir Geoff was knighted for services to human rights, science and charity and four years later he he was appointed Jamaica's first Honorary Consul in Scotland.

From

Stunt performers posed as knights, donning layers of protective gear beneath their costumes so that they could safely be lighted on fire and burn for up to 15 seconds before being extinguished.

From

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