CHIVALROUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does chivalrous mean? 

• CHIVALROUS (adjective)
  The adjective CHIVALROUS has 1 sense:

1. being attentive to women like an ideal knight

  Familiarity information: CHIVALROUS used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CHIVALROUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Being attentive to women like an ideal knight

Synonyms:

chivalrous; gallant; knightly

Similar:

courteous (characterized by courtesy and gracious good manners)

Derivation:

chivalry (the medieval principles governing knighthood and knightly conduct)

 Context examples 

Arthur was the most single-minded, chivalrous, patriotic man upon earth.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her secret.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But the present treatment by her husband and brother was everything save chivalrous.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

The high object of our mission, the consciousness that it was unselfish and chivalrous, the villainous character of our opponent, all added to the sporting interest of the adventure.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

How I thought and thought about my being poor, in Mr. Spenlow's eyes; about my not being what I thought I was, when I proposed to Dora; about the chivalrous necessity of telling Dora what my worldly condition was, and releasing her from her engagement if she thought fit; about how I should contrive to live, during the long term of my articles, when I was earning nothing; about doing something to assist my aunt, and seeing no way of doing anything; about coming down to have no money in my pocket, and to wear a shabby coat, and to be able to carry Dora no little presents, and to ride no gallant greys, and to show myself in no agreeable light!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

He tried to make us act plays and to enter into masquerades, in which the characters were drawn from the heroes of Roncesvalles, of the Round Table of King Arthur, and the chivalrous train who shed their blood to redeem the holy sepulchre from the hands of the infidels.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

It was impossible to help laughing at the funny conflict between Laurie's chivalrous reluctance to speak ill of womankind, and his very natural dislike of the unfeminine folly of which fashionable society showed him many samples.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

All the men, even Jonathan, seemed relieved; but it did not seem to me good that they should brave danger and, perhaps, lessen their safety—strength being the best safety—through care of me; but their minds were made up, and, though it was a bitter pill for me to swallow, I could say nothing, save to accept their chivalrous care of me.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

He disliked and distrusted the sex, but he was always a chivalrous opponent.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Now, again, it is the noble, chivalrous Garcia who has fallen, while the monster goes safe.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)