knight

The word “knight” means in medieval Europe, an armoured warrior on horseback who served a lord, typically after training as a page and squire. In plain terms, a medieval armoured warrior, a modern honorary title ("Sir"), or a piece in chess.

“Knight” is pronounced NYT (/ˈnaɪ̯t/ in IPA).

Here is “knight” used in a sentence: “The knight rode into battle wearing full plate armour.”

Words with a similar meaning to “knight” include dub.

Depending on how it is used, “knight” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “knight” comes from Old English. From Old English cniht, originally meaning simply "boy" or "servant" — the meaning shifted over centuries to "mounted warrior" and then "honoured title.".

“Knight” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Knight” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in medieval Europe, an armoured warrior on horseback who served a lord, typically after training as a page and squire.

A squire was a young man who served and trained under a knight, the stage before being knighted himself. A knight was the fully trained armoured warrior on horseback; a boy usually served first as a page, then a squire, before becoming a knight.

A man who has been knighted by the monarch is entitled to place "Sir" before his name, as in "Sir Paul." A woman given the equivalent honour is called a "Dame" rather than a knight.

A knight served a lord and held the lowest rank of the medieval nobility, earned through military service. A lord held a higher, often hereditary rank with authority over land and the knights who served him.

In modern Britain, a man is made a knight when the monarch honours him for outstanding achievement, usually in a formal ceremony. Once knighted, he may use "Sir" before his name.