unknightly
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not characteristic of a knight: "unknightly" describes actions, behavior, or qualities that are not befitting a knight, especially lacking chivalry, honor, or gallantry.
- Dishonorable or ungentlemanly: It can also refer to conduct that is base, mean, or contrary to the ideals of knighthood, such as courtesy, bravery, and loyalty.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- His unknightly behavior shocked the court, as he refused to help the wounded. (His actions were dishonorable and not like a true knight.)
- The accusation of cowardice was considered an unknightly insult. (The insult was not in keeping with knightly honor.)
Advanced Usage
"to act in an unknightly manner": to behave without chivalry or honor.
- The lord's unknightly manner, including his rudeness to guests, embarrassed his family. (His behavior lacked the courtesy expected of a knight.)
"unknightly conduct": behavior that violates the code of chivalry.
- Deserting his comrades in battle was seen as unknightly conduct. (Abandoning allies was a breach of knightly duty.)
Variants and Related Words
Knightly (adj): characteristic of a knight; chivalrous, gallant.
- He performed a knightly deed by rescuing the trapped villagers. (His action was brave and honorable.)
Unknightliness (n): the quality or state of being unknightly.
- The unknightliness of his betrayal was condemned by all. (His betrayal was completely lacking in knightly virtue.)
Synonyms
- Unchivalrous: lacking the qualities of a chivalrous knight.
- Dishonorable: bringing shame or disgrace; not honorable.
- Ungentlemanly: not showing the behavior expected of a gentleman.
Antonyms
- Knightly: having the qualities of a knight.
- Chivalrous: courteous, honorable, and gallant.
- Gallant: brave and noble.
Related Idioms
- A knight in shining armor: a person who acts in a noble, chivalrous way (opposite of unknightly).
- He was no knight in shining armor; his unknightly actions proved his selfishness. (He was not noble or chivalrous.)