— cavalierism, cavalierness , n. — cavalierly , adv.
/kav'euh lear", kav"euh lear'/ , n.
1. a horseman, esp. a mounted soldier; knight.
2. one having the spirit or bearing of a knight; a courtly gentleman; gallant.
3. a man escorting a woman or acting as her partner in dancing.
4. ( cap. ) an adherent of Charles I of England in his contest with Parliament.
adj.
5. haughty, disdainful, or supercilious: an arrogant and cavalier attitude toward others.
6. offhand or unceremonious: The very dignified officials were confused by his cavalier manner.
7. ( cap. ) of or pertaining to the Cavaliers.
8. ( cap. ) of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the Cavalier poets or their work.
v.i.
9. to play the cavalier.
10. to be haughty or domineering.
[ 1590-1600; cavaliere caballarius man on horseback, equiv. to L caball ( us ) horse (cf. CAPERCAILLIE) + -arius -ARY ]
Syn. 5. indifferent, offhand, uncaring, thoughtless, condescending.