knighthood

Everyday

1. A knighthood is the title and honour of being a knight, given in the UK by the king or queen to people for great service, so a man is called «Sir» (a woman gets a damehood, «Dame»). tree →
2. (history) In the Middle Ages, knighthood was the rank of a knight, a trained soldier on horseback who served a lord. tree →

In the lessons

History: knights, castles, chivalry, being knighted with a sword touch on the shoulder. Today: famous people get knighthoods for work in sport, science, music or charity (for example Sir David Attenborough).

Examples

• The famous scientist received a knighthood. tree →
• With his knighthood, he became Sir Tom. tree →
• In the Middle Ages, a squire trained for years to earn knighthood. tree →
• The king gave him a knighthood for bravery. tree →
• A woman gets a damehood, not a knighthood. tree →
• Knighthood was linked to rules of chivalry. tree →
• He was Sheriff of London, thrice Lord Mayor, and received the honour of knighthood by Henry V. tree →

Note

Plural: knighthoods. Silent «k»: «NITE-hood». Verb: to knight someone.