chevalier
/,ʃevə'liə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A gallant or courtly gentleman: A man who is notably honorable, polite, and attentive, especially towards women, in a manner reminiscent of medieval chivalry.
- A knight: A man awarded a non-hereditary rank of honor for merit or service, particularly in some orders of chivalry. Historically, a mounted soldier of noble birth.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- He was regarded as a true chevalier, always opening doors and speaking with old-fashioned courtesy.
- The title of Chevalier is conferred by the French government as part of the Legion of Honour.
- In the tale, the brave chevalier vowed to protect the kingdom.
Advanced Usage
- "Chevalier d'industrie": (From French, archaic) A person who lives by their wits, often through dubious or fraudulent schemes; an adventurer or swindler.
- The 19th-century novel portrayed him as a charming chevalier d'industrie, always involved in some new financial speculation.
Variants and Related Words
- Chivalry (n): The medieval knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code; behavior typical of a knight or a chevalier (e.g., gallantry, honor).
- Chivalrous (adj): Having the qualities of a chevalier; courteous and gallant, especially towards women.
Synonyms
- Knight: A man devoted to the service of a lady or a cause, or a person granted an honorary title of knighthood.
- Gallant: A man who is dashingly stylish and attentive to women.
- Cavalier: (Historically) A mounted soldier; a courtly gentleman.
Related Phrases
- Chevalier of the Legion of Honour: A specific rank within the French National Order of the Legion of Honour, the country's highest order of merit.
Related Idioms
- "A chevalier sans peur et sans reproche": (French, meaning "a knight without fear and beyond reproach") An idiom used to describe a person of perfect courage and honor.
- He was celebrated in the press as a chevalier sans peur et sans reproche for his heroic actions.
Noun
- a gallant or courtly gentleman
- French actor and cabaret singer (1888-1972)