knight

Everyday

1. In the Middle Ages, a knight was a soldier who fought on horseback in armour and served a king, queen or lord. tree →
2. In the UK today, a knight is a man given an honour by the King or Queen for great service, and he is called «Sir»; to knight someone is to give them this honour. tree →
3. In chess, the knight is the piece shaped like a horse's head that moves in an L shape. tree →
4. (figurative) «A knight in shining armour» is someone who comes to rescue another person. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons pupils learn about castles, armour, swords, shields, coats of arms, tournaments and the code of chivalry (being brave, loyal and kind to the weak). In stories, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table are famous knights. In chess clubs the knight is the only piece that can jump over others. In UK news, famous people may be knighted.

Examples

• The knight put on his armour and climbed onto his horse. tree →
• Knights fought for their lord in battles. tree →
• The young page trained for years to become a knight. tree →
• The famous scientist was knighted by the King. tree →
• In chess, the knight moves in an L shape. tree →
• King Arthur's knights sat at a round table. tree →
• She called her brother her knight in shining armour. tree →
• So the Third Knight failed also. tree →

Note

Plural «knights». The «k» and «gh» are silent: it sounds exactly like «night» (the dark time) — a homophone trap. A woman given the same honour is a «Dame». Past «knighted».