knight
/nait/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A chess piece: A chessman, typically shaped like a horse's head, that moves in an L-shape: two squares in one direction and then one square perpendicularly, or vice versa. It is the only piece that can "jump" over other pieces.
- A historical warrior: Originally, a man of noble birth, trained from youth in warfare, combat, and the code of chivalry, who served a lord or king in medieval Europe.
- A modern honor: In contemporary Britain and some other Commonwealth realms, a man honored by the monarch with a non-hereditary title (Sir) for personal achievement or service. The female equivalent is a Dame.
Verb:
- To confer a knighthood: To grant someone the title and dignity of a knight, typically through a ceremony where the monarch taps the recipient's shoulder with a sword.
Examples
Noun:
- In chess, you should develop your knights and bishops early.
- The knight pledged his loyalty to the king.
- Sir Elton John is a knight of the British Empire.
Verb:
- The Queen knighted the scientist for his groundbreaking research.
- He was knighted for his services to literature.
Advanced Usage
- "knight in shining armor": A phrase used to describe a chivalrous man who comes to the rescue, often in a romantic context. It can be used literally or ironically.
- She felt he was her knight in shining armor when he helped her fix her car.
- "knight-errant": A medieval knight who traveled in search of adventure to prove his chivalric virtues.
- The tales of knights-errant were popular in medieval romance.
Variants and Related Words
- Knightly (adj): Characteristic of or suitable for a knight; chivalrous.
- He acted in a knightly manner.
- Knighthood (n): The title, rank, or status of a knight; also, the body or class of knights.
- He was awarded a knighthood for his charitable work.
- Knight Bachelor (n): A knight who is not a member of a specific order of chivalry.
Synonyms
- Chess piece: (No direct synonym for the piece itself, but described by its move).
- Warrior: Champion, paladin (archaic).
- Honored person: Sir, dignitary.
Related Phrases
- To dub a knight: An older term for the act of conferring knighthood.
- The king dubbed him a knight on the battlefield.
Related Idioms
- A knight of the road: A humorous or old-fashioned term for a traveling salesman or a tramp.
- A knight of industry: An ironic or humorous term for a captain of industry or a prominent businessman.
Noun
- a chessman shaped to resemble the head of a horse; can move two squares horizontally and one vertically (or vice versa)
- originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit
Verb
- raise (someone) to knighthood
- The Beatles were knighted