Definition

1. Noun:
   • The practices or conduct of a knight errant: This refers specifically to the lifestyle, actions, and code followed by a medieval knight who traveled in search of adventures to prove his chivalry, bravery, and honor.
   • Quixotic or romantically impractical behavior: In a modern, figurative sense, it describes actions or an attitude that are nobly motivated but unrealistic, idealistic, and impractical, often disregarding practical considerations.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Historical/Literal):

  • The tales of King Arthur are filled with stories of knight errantry and quests for the Holy Grail.
  • His deep study of medieval literature focused on the ideals of knight errantry.

• Noun (Modern/Figurative):

  • Trying to solve world hunger by yourself is a form of knight errantry; it's a noble but impossible task for one person.
  • She dismissed his plan to travel the country helping strangers as mere knight errantry.

Advanced Usage

• "a spirit of knight errantry": An attitude characterized by a desire to right wrongs or pursue lofty ideals in an adventurous, often solitary manner.
  • He embarked on his legal career with a spirit of knight errantry, determined to defend the defenseless.

Variants and Related Words

• Knight-errant (n): The individual practitioner of knight errantry; a wandering knight.

  • Don Quixote imagined himself as a noble knight-errant.

• Chivalry (n): The medieval knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code, which is the foundation for knight errantry.

• Quixotism (n): Behavior that is extravagantly chivalrous or romantically idealistic without regard to practicality.

Synonyms

• Quixotism: Foolishly impractical pursuit of ideals, especially of a chivalrous nature.
• Idealistic pursuit: The act of seeking after high-minded goals.
• Romantic adventurism: Seeking adventure for the sake of romance and idealism.

Related Idioms

• Tilting at windmills: Attacking imaginary enemies or fighting futile battles, derived from Cervantes' , the most famous literary depiction of knight errantry.
  • His campaign against the corporate policy was seen as tilting at windmills.

Noun

1. (Middle Ages) the code of conduct observed by a knight errant who is wandering in search of deeds of chivalry
2. quixotic (romantic and impractical) behavior