chivalry

Noun

chivalry (usually uncountable, plural chivalries)

1. (archaic, historical, usually) Cavalry; horsemen armed for battle.
   • ‘Most of the lords who rode with Lord Renly to Storm's End have gone over banner-and-blade to Stannis, with all their chivalry.’1999, George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings, Bantam, published 2011, page 529
2. (obsolete, usually) The fact or condition of being a knight; knightly skill, prowess.
3. (usually) The ethical code of the knight prevalent in Medieval Europe, having such primary virtues as mercy towards the poor and oppressed, humility, honour, sacrifice, fear of God, faithfulness, courage and courtesy to ladies.
4. (usually) Courtesy, respect and honourable conduct, as between opponents in wartime.
   • He had seen the woman he craved—his woman—his mate—in the arms of another. There had been but one course open to him, according to the fierce jungle code that guided him in this other existence; but just before it had become too late the softer sentiments of his inherent chivalry had risen above...1913, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Return of Tarzan, New York: Ballantine Books, published 1963, page 195
5. (usually) Courteous behaviour, especially that of men towards women.
   • The elevator doors close just as Luisa Rey reaches them, but the unseen occupant jams them with his cane. “Thank you,” says Luisa to the old man. “Glad the age of chivalry isn’t totally dead.”2004, David Mitchell, “Half-Lives: The First Luisa Rey Mystery”, in Cloud Atlas, →ISBN, page 91
6. (UK, historical, usually) A tenure of lands by knightly service.