cavalry
UK: ˈkævəlri | US: ˈkævəlri
n. Soldiers who fight on horseback; mounted troops.
n. A highly mobile modern army unit equipped with armored vehicles.
cavalry = caval<horse> + ry<collective noun suffix>
- caval (from Latin caballus <horse>, via Old Italian cavallo)
- ry (a suffix forming collective nouns, from Old French -erie)
Etymology Origin:
The word cavalry traces back to Latin caballus (a workhorse), which entered Old Italian as cavallo. The term evolved in French as cavalerie, referring to mounted soldiers, and was adopted into English in the 16th century. The suffix -ry denotes a group or class, solidifying the meaning as "a body of horse-mounted troops." Over time, cavalry expanded to include mechanized units, reflecting modern warfare’s evolution.
The cavalry charged across the battlefield with remarkable speed.
During the Civil War, the Union cavalry played a crucial role in reconnaissance.
Modern armies use armored vehicles as part of their cavalry divisions.
The general ordered the cavalry to flank the enemy’s position.
In historical films, cavalry scenes often depict dramatic horseback charges.