chivalry

Everyday

1. The rules and ideals that medieval knights were supposed to follow: being brave, loyal, honest, protecting the weak and serving God and their lord. tree →
2. Polite, kind and generous behaviour, especially old-fashioned courtesy shown by men to women, like holding a door. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons about the Middle Ages, chivalry is the knights' code, linked with castles, tournaments and stories of King Arthur. In everyday life, «chivalry is not dead» is said when someone is gallant or courteous. Today kindness and good manners are for everyone, not just men to women.

Examples

• Knights were expected to follow the rules of chivalry. tree →
• King Arthur's knights were famous for their chivalry. tree →
• Holding the door for someone is a small act of chivalry. tree →
• «Chivalry isn't dead!» said Gran when the boy carried her bags. tree →
• The story is full of chivalry, quests and dragons. tree →
• Chivalry asked knights to protect the weak. tree →
• "Here it is splendid in summer!" she said, and they passed by old castles of the age of chivalry. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «chivalry», not «a chivalry». Adjective: chivalrous. Said «SHIV-ul-ree» (the ch sounds like sh, from French). Myth: real medieval knights did not always live up to chivalry.