Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

1. a chessman shaped to resemble the head of a horse; can move two squares horizontally and one vertically (or vice versa)
2. 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

1. raise (someone) to knighthood
   • The Beatles were knighted