/kav"euhl ree/ , n. , pl. cavalries .
1. Mil.
a. the part of a military force composed of troops that serve on horseback.
b. mounted soldiers collectively.
c. the motorized, armored units of a military force organized for maximum mobility.
2. horsemen, horses, etc., collectively.
[ 1585-95; syncopated var. of cavallery cavalleria, deriv. of cavaliere CAVALIER ]