KNIGHT Meaning and
Definition
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A knight is a historical term used to refer to a nobleman of high social status, typically within the medieval period. Originally stemming from the Old English word, "cniht," meaning "boy" or "servant," a knight transformed into a notable rank within the feudal system.
The most common understanding of a knight is a professional warrior, who is heavily armored and skilled in combat on horseback. Knights were bound by the chivalric code, emphasizing virtues such as honor, loyalty, bravery, and courteous behavior towards others, especially women. Knights were often depicted as protectors of kingdoms and defenders of the weak.
To become a knight, an individual generally had to go through a ceremonial dubbing process by a knight or noble, where they would kneel before them and be tapped on the shoulders with a sword. They were also expected to complete a period of training and apprenticeship, typically as a squire, before achieving knighthood.
Aside from their martial role, knights also held other responsibilities within society. They often acted as judges or arbiters of disputes, as well as being involved in various forms of courtly activities, such as tournaments and jousts. Knights were often associated with heraldry, where they would display their family coat of arms on their armor, shields, and banners.
Although knighthood gradually diminished over time and became less prominent, particularly with the rise of gunpowder weaponry, its legacy and romanticized image continue to capture the imagination and have significant cultural influence to this day.
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• A title of rank next below that of a baronet, with the privilege of prefixing to the Christian name Sir, as "Sir John," "Sir James;" anciently, a young man admitted to the privilege of bearing arms, or to military rank.
• To dub or create a knight, which is done by the sovereign, or the high officer acting in her name, giving the person to be knighted, who kneels at the ceremony, a touch with a sword, while the words are uttered, "Rise, Sir James," or " Sir John," as the person's name may be.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for KNIGHT *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for KNIGHT
Etymology of KNIGHT
The word knight comes from the Old English word cniht, which originally meant boy or servant. The term later developed to refer to a young nobleman or a warrior in service to a lord. In Middle English, the word evolved to knight and took on its current meaning of a heavily armed and mounted warrior of noble birth. The Old English cniht itself has Germanic origins, possibly derived from the Proto-Germanic word *knechtaz, meaning boy or servant.
Idioms with the word KNIGHT
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a knight in shining armour
The idiom "a knight in shining armor" refers to a person, typically a man, who bravely and gallantly rescues someone from a difficult situation or provides unwavering support and protection. It implies that the person is a heroic figure, like the chivalrous knights in medieval times, ready to come to the aid of others and save them from harm or adversity.
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a knight in shining armor
The idiom "a knight in shining armor" refers to a person who comes to someone's rescue in a difficult situation or provides protection, support, or assistance when it is needed the most. This phrase often implies a sense of heroism, chivalry, and bravery in the manner of a medieval knight.
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a white knight
The idiom "a white knight" refers to a person, usually a man, who comes to the rescue or defends someone else, often carrying an idealistic or chivalrous connotation. It can also describe someone, usually in a business context, who intervenes to save a company or project from potential failure or downfall.
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knight in shining armor
The idiom "knight in shining armor" refers to a person, usually a man, who comes to the rescue or aid of someone in a difficult situation. It implies that this person is courageous, chivalrous, and willing to protect or help others. The idiom is often used to describe someone who is reliable, noble, or acts heroically in times of need.
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white knight
The idiom "white knight" refers to a person who comes to the rescue or offers help in a challenging situation, often with a noble or chivalrous intent. It is typically used to describe someone who intervenes or supports another person or cause, often seen as a hero figure.
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knight of the road
The idiom "knight of the road" refers to a person, typically a traveler or a hobo, who wanders from place to place, often on foot, in search of work or adventure. It is often used to describe someone who leads a life devoid of permanent roots or ties, and who is self-reliant, resourceful, and adventurous. It connotes a sense of independence and freedom, as well as the romanticized idea of a modern-day knight who roams the roads, engaging in various encounters and experiences.
Similar spelling words for KNIGHT
- knightia,
- knot,
- knighton,
- night,
- tonight,
- knightly,
- knighten,
- nought,
- Knights,
- knecht,
- naught,
- Knighted,
- knit.
Conjugate verb Knight
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have knighted
you
would have knighted
he/she/it
would have knighted
we
would have knighted
they
would have knighted
I
would have knight
you
would have knight
he/she/it
would have knight
we
would have knight
they
would have knight
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been knighting
you
would have been knighting
he/she/it
would have been knighting
we
would have been knighting
they
would have been knighting
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would knight
you
would knight
he/she/it
would knight
we
would knight
they
would knight
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be knighting
you
would be knighting
he/she/it
would be knighting
we
would be knighting
they
would be knighting
FUTURE
I
will knight
you
will knight
he/she/it
will knight
we
will knight
they
will knight
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be knighting
you
will be knighting
he/she/it
will be knighting
we
will be knighting
they
will be knighting
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have knighted
you
will have knighted
he/she/it
will have knighted
we
will have knighted
they
will have knighted
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been knighting
you
will have been knighting
he/she/it
will have been knighting
we
will have been knighting
they
will have been knighting
IMPERATIVE
you
knight
we
let´s knight
to knight
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was knighting
you
were knighting
he/she/it
was knighting
we
were knighting
they
were knighting
PAST PARTICIPLE
knighted
PAST PERFECT
I
had knighted
you
had knighted
he/she/it
had knighted
we
had knighted
they
had knighted
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been knighting
you
had been knighting
he/she/it
had been knighting
we
had been knighting
they
had been knighting
PRESENT
I
knight
you
knight
he/she/it
knights
we
knight
they
knight
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am knighting
you
are knighting
he/she/it
is knighting
we
are knighting
they
are knighting
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
knighting
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have knighted
you
have knighted
he/she/it
has knighted
we
have knighted
they
have knighted
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been knighting
you
have been knighting
he/she/it
has been knighting
we
have been knighting
they
have been knighting
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
knight
SIMPLE PAST
I
knighted
you
knighted
he/she/it
knighted
we
knighted
they
knighted
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