I. ˌka-və-ˈlir noun
Etymology: Middle French, from Old Italian cavaliere, from Old Occitan cavalier, from Late Latin caballarius horseman, from Latin caballus
Date: 1589
1. : a gentleman trained in arms and horsemanship
2. : a mounted soldier : knight
3. capitalized : an adherent of Charles I of England
4. : gallant
II. adjective
Date: circa 1641
1. : debonair
2. : marked by or given to offhand and often disdainful dismissal of important matters
a cavalier attitude toward money
3.
a. capitalized : of or relating to the party of Charles I of England in his struggles with the Puritans and Parliament
b. : aristocratic
c. capitalized : of or relating to the English Cavalier poets of the mid-17th century
• ca·va·lier·ism -ˌi-zəm noun
• cav·a·lier·ly adverb