chivalry
gb/ʃˈɪvəlɹi/ us/ʃˈɪvəlɹi/
B2
Inglese
~ 6900
Accezioni
0 accezioni
Sostantivo
B2
entity
1
polite, respectful behavior
Polite and kind behavior, usually by men toward women, such as opening a door or offering a seat.
Schema d'uso:
[someone] shows chivalry toward [someone]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse "chivalry" with "charity". "Chivalry" is about polite and protective behavior (often in social or romantic situations), while "charity" is about giving help or money to people in need. Another mistake is using it as an adjective (*"He is very chivalry"*); the correct adjective is *"chivalrous"*.
Sinonimi
courtesy (General term for polite behavior; does not specifically suggest traditional male–female roles the way chivalry often does.)
Contrari
rudeness (Describes behavior that is impolite or inconsiderate, the opposite of chivalrous behavior.)
Collocazioni
act of chivalry
|gesture of chivalry
|basic chivalry
|simple chivalry
|show chivalry
|display of chivalry
Temi
relationships
|values
|social
|daily_life
Esempi
- He insisted on walking her home out of chivalry, not obligation.
- Some people see holding the door as a sign of chivalry, while others see it as old-fashioned.
- Her date’s small acts of chivalry, like offering his coat, made her feel cared for.
- In modern workplaces, chivalry is often discussed alongside equality and respect.
- They argued about whether traditional chivalry fits with today’s ideas about gender roles.
Esempi per chi studia
- He shows chivalry by opening the door for her.
- Her brother’s chivalry made their guests feel welcome.
- Many people think chivalry is a good thing.
- Some women do not like chivalry and prefer equal treatment.
- His chivalry surprised her because he usually seems very shy.
Sostantivo
C1
entity
2
ideal of honor and bravery
An old idea of how a good fighter or noble person should act, with honor, courage, and respect for others, especially weaker people.
Schema d'uso:
[someone] believes in chivalry
Errore comune:
Learners may think this meaning only applies to romance. In this sense, chivalry is about a wider moral code of honor, bravery, and fairness, especially in war or serious conflict, not just dating or polite behavior toward women.
Sinonimi
honor (Broad term for strong moral principles and good reputation; chivalry adds ideas of bravery and protection of the weak.)
Contrari
treachery (Refers to betraying trust or acting dishonorably, which directly opposes the loyal and principled nature of chivalry.)
Collocazioni
spirit of chivalry
|ideal of chivalry
|rules of chivalry
|sense of chivalry
|true chivalry
|codes of chivalry
Temi
history
|values
|war
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Esempi
- On the battlefield, he tried to follow a personal code of chivalry, even when others did not.
- The story celebrates the chivalry of soldiers who defended civilians at great risk to themselves.
- For her, true chivalry meant standing up for the powerless, not just being polite.
- Many people feel that chivalry and fair play are disappearing from modern politics.
- The novel contrasts the chivalry of the old guard with the ruthless tactics of the new regime.
Esempi per chi studia
- The knight was famous for his chivalry and courage.
- They admired his chivalry when he protected the weaker team member.
- Chivalry tells strong people to help weak people.
- The teacher spoke about chivalry and respect in war.
- Some people think chivalry is an important value even today.
Sostantivo
technical
C2
entity
3
medieval system of knighthood
The system in medieval Europe where knights were a special group of rich soldiers on horses with their own rules and way of life.
Schema d'uso:
[text] describes chivalry in [place/period]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes use this historical sense when they only mean polite behavior. In everyday modern speech, chivalry usually refers to politeness and respectful behavior, not the medieval social system.
Sinonimi
knighthood (Focuses on the rank or status of being a knight; chivalry in this sense includes the wider social and military system.)
Contrari
peasantry (Refers to the lower farming class, socially opposite to the elite knightly class defined by chivalry.)
Collocazioni
age of chivalry
|medieval chivalry
|orders of chivalry
|rise of chivalry
|decline of chivalry
|romance of chivalry
Temi
history
|war
|society
|law
Esempi
- The museum’s new exhibit explores chivalry and warfare in twelfth‑century Europe.
- Many legends from the age of chivalry mix historical facts with fantasy.
- The book argues that chivalry was as much a political system as a military one.
- She wrote her thesis on the decline of chivalry at the end of the Middle Ages.
- Orders of chivalry still exist today, although they are now mostly symbolic honors.
Esempi per chi studia
- In school, we learned that chivalry was important in medieval Europe.
- Stories about knights and dragons often come from the time of chivalry.
- Chivalry gave power to rich warriors on horses.
- Some writers say chivalry ended when guns became common.
- There are still modern orders of chivalry, but they are not real soldiers now.
Grammatica
Forma base
chivalry
IPA
GB/ʃˈɪvəlɹi/
US/ʃˈɪvəlɹi/
Sillabe e accento
chiv - alry (2 sillabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (chiv)
Forme flesse
Noun
- Base: chivalry
- Plural: chivalry
Famiglia di parole
Core family
chivalrous
adjective B2
Related words
chivalrously
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unchivalrous
adjective
Advanced or less common
chivalric
adjective
Espressioni
act of chivalry
1/ˈækt əv ʃˈɪvəlɹi/
fixed phrase
single chivalrous action or deed
A single polite and kind action that shows chivalry, such as helping someone or protecting someone.
Esempi
- Offering his seat to the elderly woman was a simple act of chivalry.
- She thanked him for the small act of chivalry when he carried her heavy suitcase.
- In the story, each act of chivalry brings the knight closer to his goal.
age of chivalry
1/ˈeɪd͡ʒ əv ʃˈɪvəlɹi/
fixed phrase
literary
period of medieval knighthood
A way to talk about the time in history when knights, castles, and their rules and stories were important in Europe.
Esempi
- Many fantasy films are set in a fictional age of chivalry with knights, castles, and dragons.
- The guide described the castle as a window into the age of chivalry.
- He loves reading about the age of chivalry and heroic knights.
chivalry is not dead
1/ʃˈɪvəlɹi ˈɪz nˈɑt dˈɛd/
fixed phrase
saying that chivalry still exists
Used to say that polite, caring behavior, especially by men toward women, still exists in today’s world.
Esempi
- When he stopped to help the stranger with her bags, she smiled and said, "I guess chivalry is not dead."
- Articles about kind acts often end with the line that chivalry is not dead.
- Seeing a younger man give up his seat on the bus, she joked that chivalry is not dead after all.
code of chivalry
1/kˈoʊd əv ʃˈɪvəlɹi/
fixed phrase
moral rules of chivalry
The set of rules that told knights how they should behave, such as being brave, loyal, and protective.
Esempi
- According to the code of chivalry, a knight should defend the weak and keep his word.
- The novel shows a hero torn between the code of chivalry and his personal desires.
- Teachers used the idea of a code of chivalry to start a discussion about modern values.
gesture of chivalry
1/d͡ʒˈɛst͡ʃɚ əv ʃˈɪvəlɹi/
fixed phrase
polite gesture showing chivalry
A small polite action that shows chivalry, like opening a door or giving someone your coat.
Esempi
- He offered his umbrella as a gesture of chivalry when it started to rain.
- She saw his gesture of chivalry as friendly, not romantic.
- The movie is full of old‑fashioned gestures of chivalry.
spirit of chivalry
1/spˈɪɹɪt əv ʃˈɪvəlɹi/
fixed phrase
general attitude of chivalry
The general feeling or idea of chivalry, such as being brave, fair, and kind to others.
Esempi
- They asked players to compete in the spirit of chivalry and fair play.
- The spirit of chivalry can still guide how we treat others today.
- Her grandfather believed strongly in the spirit of chivalry and taught it to his children.