knight
UK: naɪt | US: naɪt
n. 1. A man awarded a non-hereditary title by a monarch for merit or service, often entitled to use "Sir" before his name.
n. 2. A mounted soldier in medieval Europe, typically of noble birth and trained in combat.
n. 3. A chess piece shaped like a horse’s head, moving in an L-shaped pattern.
The word "knight" traces back to Old English cniht, meaning "youth" or "servant," reflecting its early association with young warriors or attendants. Over time, the term evolved in Middle English to denote a mounted warrior of noble status, influenced by feudal systems. The silent "k" (from Old English spelling) and the shift from "cniht" to "knight" illustrate phonetic changes in English. The modern sense of a titled honor emerged later, tied to chivalric ideals.
The king dubbed him a knight for his bravery in battle.
Medieval knights wore heavy armor and fought on horseback.
She moved her knight to capture the opponent’s rook.
The legend tells of a knight who rescued a village from a dragon.
In modern Britain, a knight may use the title "Sir" before their name.