chivalry: Men behaving courteously toward women — holding the door for them, offering them their jackets when it's cold — is called chivalry. Many women consider chivalry a lost art. Nice work, fellas.
Cavalry (soldiers on horseback) and chivalry have the same root: the Medieval Latin word caballarius, meaning "horseman" or "knight." In the Middle Ages, a knight was expected to be brave, loyal, and to open the tavern door for his date. Picture a knight kneeling before a maiden and kissing her hand. It's a classic image of chivalry from the storybooks. Some women wonder whether chivalry has ever existed anywhere else.
Synonyms:gallantry, politesse
Type of:courtesy, good manners
a courteous manner
n. the medieval principles governing knighthood and knightly conduct
Synonyms:knightliness
Type of:principle
a rule or standard especially of good behavior.
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