man-at-arms
/,mænət'ɑ:mz/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A heavily armed and mounted soldier in medieval times: A "man-at-arms" was a professional soldier, typically of knightly or noble rank, who fought on horseback and was equipped with heavy armor and weapons.
Usage
- The term "man-at-arms" is a historical noun used to describe a specific type of warrior from the medieval period, roughly from the 5th to the 15th century. It refers to the primary fighting unit of a feudal army, distinct from lighter cavalry, archers, or infantry.
Examples
- Noun:
- The castle's defense relied on a company of loyal men-at-arms.
- In the painting, the man-at-arms is depicted in full plate armor astride a warhorse.
Advanced Usage
- The plural form is men-at-arms.
- The lord summoned his men-at-arms to prepare for battle.
Variants and Related Words
- Knight: A man granted an honorary title of knighthood for service to a monarch, often serving as a man-at-arms but with specific social and chivalric duties.
- Man-at-arms is a compound noun. Its components are not typically used separately to convey this specific historical meaning.
Synonyms
- Knight: (in a military context) A mounted soldier of high social rank.
- Cavalier: A mounted soldier; a knight.
- Warrior: (general) A person engaged or experienced in warfare.
Antonyms
- Peasant: A poor farmer of low social status, typically not a professional soldier.
- Archer: A soldier armed with a bow and arrows, usually not heavily armored.
- Foot soldier: An infantryman who fights on foot.
Noun
- a heavily armed and mounted soldier in medieval times